National Press Foundation Teen Safety June 14, 2005
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Established in (c)(3) Not-For-Profit Research Affiliate of AAA and AAA Motor Clubs North American Focus
Funded through the generosity of and its members and its members
Mission Identify traffic safety problems Foster research that seeks solutions Disseminate information and educational materials
Teen Driving Facts Motor vehicle crashes are leading cause of death for teenagers 17 fatal crashes every day 8 teen drivers killed
Teen Driving Statistics ,176 teen drivers in fatal crashes 5,194 teenagers died 2,842 teen drivers died (11% of all drivers) Teen driver fatalities up 11% from 1993
1 in 5 teen drivers will crash in first year First month (1,000-1,500 miles) of independent driving is riskiest Teen Driving Facts
Poor risk perception Over confidence Immaturity Inexperience Teen Drivers
Wear seat belts less often Drive small cars Are prone to fatigue Susceptible to distractions Drive Riskier Teen Drivers
Teen Demographics % of licensed % of licensed Substantial increase in teen population by 2007
Teen Safety
Passenger Vehicle Driver Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled Driver Deaths: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA, ). Vehicle Miles Travelled: Fatality Facts: Teenagers (IIHS, 2005).
Passenger Vehicle Driver Deaths Per 100,000 Licensed Drivers Driver Deaths: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA, 2003).
Estimated Percent of Drivers in Fatal Crashes Who Had Been Drinking (Drivers Age ≤ 20) Traffic Safety Facts 2003 (NHTSA, 2005)
Risk highest for independent, novice drivers Night (9-6am) 3 times the risk Passengers: 1Passenger – 1.4 times the risk 2Passengers – 1.9 times the risk 3Passengers – 2.8 times the risk GDL Background
GDL Licensing Laws 1997 States With GDL No GDL States
GDL Licensing Laws 2005 States With GDL
Teen crashesDown 9-37% (Selected States) Teen fatalities/populationDown 26% ( ) Teen fatalitiesDown 6% (GDL States) But, Teen fatalities/miles traveled No change Teens continue to crash at alarming rates GDL is Working
Driver Education
Little scientific evidence that driver education works Much less emphasis in public schools Market driving “cheaper, faster approach” Very few, scientifically sound evaluations Driver Education Background
Reducing the Crash Risk for Young Drivers Guidelines for Evaluating Driver Education Programs driver-ZED update Nationwide Evaluation of GDL States With GDL No GDL States
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