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If you didn't know that traffic crashes are the No. 1 killer of teen-agers in America, you're not alone. In a survey conducted by AAA, only 22 percent identified traffic crashes as the greatest threat to teens. Almost half listed the biggest risk as drug addiction, which ranks 28th among all causes of death for persons in this age group.
More statistics:
- 15- to 20-year-olds account for only 7 percent of the driving population but are involved in 14 percent of fatal crashes and nearly 20 percent of total crashes.
- In 76 percent of fatal crashes involving 15- to 20-year-old drivers, police reports show error or other factors related to driver behavior are caused by inexperience, poor driving skills, risk-taking or poor decision making.
AAA is a vocal advocate for novice and mature driver safety programs. The association's current effort seeks to pass graduated driver licensing laws in all 50 states.
When AAA started its campaign in 1997, only eight states had graduated driver licensing laws. Today, 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed GDL laws.
But AAA isn't stopping there. The organization is pushing state legislatures to pass the strongest, most comprehensive laws possible. The GDL law AAA endorses could over 10 years account for up to 1.5 million fewer crashes, 500,000 fewer injuries and 500 fewer deaths among 16- and 17-year old drivers.
It's never easy to change individual behavior and attitudes. But AAA believes strongly that driving is not a "rite of passage" - a teen's 16th birthday should not automatically entitle him or her to full driving privileges.
The correct approach is to introduce the responsiblity of driving in graduated states through a proven training curriculum based on the most common causes of teen-drive crashes.
For more information, contact your local AAA club. |
