Teen Driving Safety

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Teen Driving

Definition: Teenagers contribute to, and suffer from, the consequences of motor vehicle collisions at a disproportionate rate. Teen driver crashes more often involve

  • driver error
  • lack of safety belt use
  • excessive speed
  • single vehicle crashes
  • nighttime fatal crashes
  • increased risk with every additional passenger
  • alcohol (in the later teen years).

Magnitude of the Problem

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for youth ages 15-20. According to NHTSA, in 2009,

  • 2,336 15-to 20-year old drivers were killed and an additional 196,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
  • Drivers ages 15-20 are 6.4 % of all licensed drivers in the U.S. but are involved in 11% of all fatal crashes.

Prevention

Strategies to improve teen driving safety include:

  • graduated drivers licensing systems that have a night driving restriction, passenger restrictions, and supervised driving for beginning drivers for at least six months
  • safety belt laws
  • drinking and driving laws