That motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for drivers aged 15-19 is known, but new research to determine the impact teen drivers have on others has found that they put everyone at risk. The majority of those killed and injured in crashes involving a teen driver are people other than the driver.
Those are among the findings of new report released on Wednesday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and education organization.
“Teen crash rates are higher than any other age group, and this data confirm that the impact of their crashes extend well beyond the teen who is behind the wheel,” Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the AAA Foundation, said in a statement.
“Since teens drive more during the summer than any other season, this insight is a timely reminder to everyone—drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists— to be mindful when sharing the roads with young drivers.”
The group released the study’s findings to correspond with the start of the “100 Deadliest Days,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when teen crash fatalities historically climb. It’s analysis of federal data found that in 2013, teen fatalities increased 43 percent during the summer months.
The study analyzed data of police-reported crashes of drivers aged 15-19, from 1994-2013. In 2013 alone, 371,645 people were injured and 2,927 were killed in crashes that involved a teen driver.
From the report:
- Nearly two-thirds of people killed (66%) and injured (67%) in crashes involving a teen driver are people other than the teen behind the wheel.
- Nearly 50 percent of those injured were in another vehicle; 17 percent were in the teen driver’s car; and 2 percent were non-motorists (i.e., pedestrian, bicyclist)
- Nearly 30 percent of those killed were in another car, 27 percent were the teen’s passenger and ten percent were non-motorists (i.e., pedestrians, bicyclist)
The study had some positive news. Overall, the number of teen crashes is down. During the last 20 years, crashes resulting in injuries and deaths of teen drivers
decreased by 51 percent and 56 percent respectively, according to the report. The group attributed this to safety measures that include strong graduated drivers licensing (GDL) laws and factors like falling gas prices and the economy. (GDL laws provide teens the opportunity to gain practical driving experience by gradually granting privileges during higher-risk situations, like driving at night or with peer passengers.)
“While great strides have been made to improve the safety of teen drivers over the past 20 years, motor vehicle crashes still remain the leading cause of death for drivers aged 15-19,” Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA, said in a statement. “Everyone has an incentive to keep teen drivers safe during the summer—and all year long—because it makes roads safer for everyone.”
To read the original story go to Forbes.
