You probably don't think of motor vehicle crash statistics when you're getting into a car with a group of friends -- but you should be aware of them. Why?
In 2003, teenagers accounted for 10 percent of the United States population, but comprised 13 percent of motor-vehicle crash fatalities. A total of 5,691 teenagers died that year, and speeding only makes things worse. Nearly one-quarter of the people who died in speed-related crashes were between ages 15 and 20. And boys stand a greater chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash than girls. For example, 66 percent of the deaths in 2003 were males.
What's more, the larger the group of friends in that car, the greater the risk for being involved in a fatal collision. If you are driving with one of your friends in the car, you are 1 1/2 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than if you were alone. Add another friend, and the risk increases again. Bring along three of your friends and you are 3 times more likely to be involved in a traffic fatality.
Need more proof? In 2003, 41 percent of all deaths for teens ages 16 and 17 stemmed from motor vehicle collisions. That's nearly half of all deaths in that age group! As teen drivers get older, those percentages drop. In adolescents ages 18 and 19, traffic deaths comprise 38 percent of all teen fatalities. By the time you reach age 20, that figure drops to 30 percent, and by age 25, it's down to 20 percent.
Because of statistics like these, and others, AAA is launching "Licensed to Learn," the most comprehensive program nationwide to curb novice driver crashes. For teenage drivers, it means more behind-the-wheel driving experience, guidelines for selecting driver education courses and increased parental involvement in teen driver training. It also would mean a graduated licensing system for novice drivers in all 50 states and a licensing process that ensures new drivers are ready to drive before becoming fully licensed.
Welcoming Your New Driver
Brochure outlines AAA tips for parents that will help safeguard teens and give a little peace of mind when turning over the keys to a teen driver.
Choosing A Driving School
Driver education courses are designed to teach new drivers the fundamental skills and basic knowledge required to drive a motor vehicle. Your search for a quality school may be more successful if you know what to look for in facilities, instructors, structure and lesson plans. Tips in the following brochure may make it easier for you to select the best driver training school for you.
Teen Drivers: Everyone is at Risk
Analysis that shows that between 1998 and 2007 crashes involving 15- to 17- year-old drivers claimed the lives of 28,138 people, of which 10,388 (36.9%) were those drivers themself. However, the majority of fatalities in these crashes were people other than those drivers, and included 8,829 of their passengers, 6,858 occupants of vehicles operated by drivers 18 years of age or older, and 2,063 nonmotorists.
Teens and Parents Find What You Need on DMV Web Sites
AAA urges states to share division of motor vehicle best practices for helping parents understand the teen crash problem and their role in assisting teens in becoming safer drivers.
Parent Guidelines
AAA's Parent-to-Parent Teen Driving Discussion Guide to help you, your teens, their friends and their parents develop rules that will help you all get through this exciting process more safely and with a bit less anxiety.
Young Drivers
Provided by NHTSA's National Center for Statisics and Analysis, this document provides statistical information on young drivers and motor vehicle crashes.
AAA's involvement in legislation goes back to 1903, when it supported a bill that established the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, now known as the Department of Transportation.
You probably don't think of motor vehicle crash statistics when you're getting into a car with a group of friends -- but you should be aware of them. Why?
