National Press Foundation

Teen Safety
June 14, 2005
AAA Foundation for
Traffic Safety
•Established in 1947
•501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit
•Research Affiliate of
AAA
and AAA Motor Clubs
•North American Focus
Funded through
the generosity of
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 - 2003

6,176 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

 Teen Driving Facts

1 in 5 teen drivers will crash in first

year

First month (1,000-1,500 miles) of

independent driving is riskiest
 Teen Drivers

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 Demographics

1982 53% of 16-17 licensed

2002 43% of 16-17 licensed

Substantial increase in teen population by

2007
Teen Safety
Passenger Vehicle Driver Deaths
Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles
Traveled 5
Male
Female
4
D river D eath R ate

0
16 17 18 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 59 60 - 69 ≥ 70
Driver Age

Driver Deaths: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA, 2001-2002).

Vehicle Miles Travelled: Fatality Facts: Teenagers (IIHS, 2005).
Passenger Vehicle Driver Deaths
Per 100,000 Licensed Drivers
50
Male

Female
40
D river D eath R ate

30

20

10

0
16 17 18 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 59 60 - 69 ≥ 70
Driver Age

Driver Deaths: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (NHTSA, 2003).

Estimated Percent of Drivers in
Fatal Crashes Who Had Been
Drinking (Drivers Age ≤ 20)
50% BAC ≥ 0.01
BAC ≥ 0.08
40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
1982 1987 1992 1997 2002
Traffic Safety Facts 2003 (NHTSA, 2005)
 GDL Background

• Risk highest for independent, novice drivers

• Night (9-6am) 3 times the risk
• Passengers:
1 Passenger – 1.4 times the risk
2 Passengers – 1.9 times the risk
3 Passengers – 2.8 times the risk
GDL Licensing Laws 1997

States With GDL

No GDL States
GDL Licensing Laws 2005

States With GDL

 GDL is Working
Teen crashes Down 9-37% (Selected States)
Teen fatalities/population Down 26% (1993-2003)
Teen fatalities Down 6% (GDL States)

But,
Teen fatalities/miles traveled No change

Teens continue to crash at alarming rates

Driver Education
 Driver Education Background
Little scientific evidence that driver education
works
Much less emphasis in public schools
Market driving “cheaper, faster approach”
Very few, scientifically sound evaluations
Nationwide Evaluation of GDL
driver-ZED update

States With GDL

No GDL States

Reducing the Crash

Risk for Young
Drivers
Guidelines for Evaluating
Driver Education Programs
For more information, please visit:
www.aaafoundation.org