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Who Dies When Teen Drivers Crash? Majority of People Killed in Teen Driver Crashes are Passengers, Other Drivers

AAA Says Greater Parental Controls and Stiffer GDL Laws Can Help Minimize Potential Hazards

AURORA, Ill., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The majority of people killed in crashes involving teen drivers are people other than the teens themselves, according to just-released findings from 10 years of crash data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AFTS).

The new analysis shows that young novice drivers comprise slightly more than one-third of all the fatalities in crashes in which they are involved; whereas nearly two-thirds of those killed are other vehicle users and pedestrians.

"This new data is a wake-up call for how critically important graduated drivers licensing (GDL) laws are in Illinois and across the country," says Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago Regional President. "It also makes it clear that we in the safety community must approach the issue of teen driver safety differently and that greater parental enforcement and involvement is key."

The analysis shows that between 1995 and 2004, crashes involving 15-, 16-, and 17-year-old drivers claimed the lives of 30,917 people nationwide, of which 11,177 (36.2%) were the teen drivers themselves. The remaining 19,740 (63.6%) included 9,847 passengers of the teen drivers, 7,477 were occupants in vehicles operated by drivers who were at least 18 or older, 2,323 were non- motorists and 93 were unknown.

During that same 10-year period, in Illinois, 1,173 lives were lost in crashes involving teen drivers, of which, 399 were drivers 15-17 years old, 390 were their passengers, 294 were occupants of vehicles operated by drivers 18 or older, and 88 were non-motorists.

"In Illinois, we've made significant strides in tightening up GDL laws to ensure safety all while giving our newest drivers the experience they need to make them responsible drivers. However, that's not to suggest that there isn't room for improvement, and AAA's new study is just the kind of data lawmakers -- and parents -- need to continue to improve roadway safety for all," said Roeber.

AAA also unveiled its new "Parent-to-Parent" contract to help foster as much teamwork and parental oversight as possible, especially during teens' first year of independent driving. Among AAA's recommendations is parental enforcement to not allow other young people to ride with a first-year, teen driver. This is especially difficult to control when other parents allow it and if that teen driver has younger siblings. But this study, along with decades of other traffic safety research shows conclusively that teen drivers are easily distracted and don't have the experience to safely transport any passengers during their first year of driving.

"Parents who understand the risks recognize that it is important to keep teens from riding with other teens, even if it means playing 'chauffer' for one more year," said Roeber.

In addition, AAA and the AAA Foundation have released updates of two popular educational tools for parents, AAA's "Teaching Your Teens to Drive" DVD and the AAA Foundation's interactive, risk-management DVD, Driver-ZED(TM). For more information on these and other teen driver safety tools and how to get involved in contacting your legislator about GDL laws, go to http://www.aaa.com .

With car crashes being the leading cause of death for teenagers, AAA set an ambitious goal in 1997 to pass GDL laws in all 50 states. Our legislative efforts have saved lives by requiring greater supervision for teens behind- the-wheel and phased-in driving privileges during low-risk times until a full license is granted.

AFTS' teen driver crash data analysis was conducted by analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 1995 through 2004.

AAA Chicago celebrates 100 years of service this year in 2006. Formed in 1906, AAA Chicago represents roadway interests for motorists and pedestrians and serves their leading advocate for various traffic safety and travel- related issues. For more information on high gas prices and money-saving tips, please visit our Web site at http://www.aaa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-YOUR AAA (968-7222).

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 48 million members in the United States and Canada.

Source: AAA Chicago

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