“Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 44% of teen deaths in the U.S.”
1. Young drivers are involved in fatal crashes at more than twice
the rate of all others.
2. The first year for a newly licensed teenage driver is the most
dangerous with more than 1 in 5 involved in crashes.
3. Each year nearly 11,000 teens are killed in vehicular accidents;
more than 3,800 are drivers age 15-20.
4. Annually, more than 326,000 young drivers are seriously injured
5. 188 young drivers in 2009 were killed in vehicle collision in
South Carolina.
6. Nearly 50 or one-fourth, of the fatal accidents involving young
drivers, were alcohol related. The average blood alcohol level
(BAC) was 0.14; to legal limit is 0.08. Under 2l=0.02 zero tolerance
7. Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving at an unsafe speed is
the most common error in fatal teenage accidents.
8. More than 1,000 young drivers lose their lives each year in crashes
because of an impaired driver, be it themselves or someone else.
9. Young drivers are involved in nearly 28% of all crashes, even
though they represent only 14% of the nations’ licensed drivers.
“As a young driver or passenger, you can greatly reduce your risk by taking control of the situation.”
Research shows the leading cause of young driver accidents involve one or a combination of the following factors:
1. Lack of awareness to the consequences of risk-taking behavior.
2. Inexperience with complexities of driving.
3. Peers in vehicle with the youthful driver.
4. Driving as a social activity.
5. Impaired driving to due road conditions, including driving at night.
6. Speeding.
7. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.