Young Drivers Are 3 Times More Likely To Die In Crash

Young drivers between the age of 16 and 17 are three times more likely than other people to be involved in a deadly crash, according to a new report from AAA. And the summer months — between Memorial Day and Labor Day — are the most dangerous time for these drivers to be on the road.

"Statistics show that teen crashes spike during the summer months because teens are out of school and on the road," said David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "The Foundation's research found that inexperience paired with greater exposure on the road could create a deadly combination for teen drivers."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for American teens. (For more national stories, subscribe to the Across America Patch and receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

During the summer, teen driver crashes increase 15 percent. According to AAA, more than 1,600 people died in the last five years in accidents involving young drivers.

"Parents are the front line of defense for keeping our roads safer this summer," said Jennifer Ryan, AAA director of state relations. "It all starts with educating teens about safety on the road and modeling good behavior, like staying off the phone and buckling your safety belt."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that around 32,000 people die in the United States a year in auto accidents, while 2 million people are injured. Other wealthy countries have about half the traffic fatalities on average.

It also says that around one in three traffic deaths is a result of drunk driving. Teen drunk driving rates have fallen by around 50 percent since 1991, though around one in 10 high schoolers 16 or older drinks and drives. According to the CDC, teens are 17 times more likely to be involved in an accident when they're intoxicated.

In a press release, AAA notes that the following key causes of fatal crashes:

• Distraction: Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of 10 teen crashes, four times as many as official estimates based on police reports. The top distractions for teens include talking to other passengers in the vehicle and interacting with a smart phone.
• Not Buckling Up: In 2015, the latest data available, 60 percent of teen drivers killed in a crash were not wearing a safety belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.
• Speeding: Speeding is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. A recent AAA survey of driving instructors found that speeding is one of the top three mistakes teens make when learning to drive.

It also recommends the following for keeping teen drivers safe:

• Have conversations with their teens early and often about distraction and speeding.
• Teach by example and minimize risky behavior when driving.
• Make a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.

Photo credit: State Farm