Teenage Driving Deaths Decrease in 2011; 65 Percent Fewer Than in 1975

The teenagers are the ones who tend to drive less than any other age group, with the exception of the elderly. Conversely, however, the numbers of crashes and crash deaths in the United States are disproportionately high on teenagers. In fact, the fatality rate per mile driven of teenagers 16 to 19 years old is said to be almost 3 times higher than that of drivers ages 20 or above.

In addition, the risk of getting severely or fatally injured in a vehicle crash is much more likely to happen to teenagers aged 16 to 17. In fact, the fatality rate per mile driven for that specific age group is just about twice as high as for teens aged 18 to 19 years old. Indeed, teenagers, among all age groups, are more likely to get fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes.

This time around, though, the incidents of crash deaths among teenagers have been decreasing over the past few years. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 3,023 teenagers aged 13 to 19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2011. Comparing it with the previous years, said figure is 65 percent fewer than that of 1975 (8,748) and 3 percent fewer than in 2010 (3,121). Said figure also accounted for 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States (32,367).

Out of 3,023 motor vehicle accident deaths among teenagers, 11 percent of them were passenger vehicle occupants, or those who rode cars, pickups, SUVs, and vans. About seven percent were pedestrians, while only 3 percent were motorcyclists.

Incidentally, motor vehicle crashes were the leading causes of death among teenage males and females in the United States aged 13 to 19 years old, according to the latest statistical data available from 2010. Homicide and suicide placed second and third respectively.

Other statistics also showed that July, August, and October 2011 had the highest numbers of teenage crash deaths. July saw 312 deaths, while August had 296. October, meanwhile, incurred the highest among other months in 2011 with 317. Notably, the months of July and August are the summer months, where a lot of teenagers are taking advantage of summer breaks by going to long road trips.

The number of teenager deaths in motor vehicle accidents may be decreasing, but this does not mean such incidents won’t be lessened entirely as soon. Fortunately, federal and state traffic safety agencies are still reminding drivers aged 13 to 19 years old to be as safe as possible whenever they drive or ride a vehicle. Even expert lawyers, including a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, likewise remind parents of teenage drivers to be vigilant enough in keeping their sons and daughters safe on the roads.


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