Teen Drivers
Teen driving deaths reaching epidemic proportions
Did you know…
|
... |
motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for drivers age 15-20? |
|
... |
the FHWA estimates that if drivers had just ½ second more warning it would prevent 60% of all rear-end collisions? |
| ... | speed typically plays a role in about 40% of crash deaths for 16 year olds? |
The Challenge: Providing Safer Roadways for Teen Drivers
- Of drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2003, 64% were teens between 15 and 20 years of age, though this group represented only 6.4% of drivers involved in crashes.
- Roadway departure fatalities which include run off the road (ROR) and head-on fatalities, account for more than half of all roadway fatalities.
- New data suggests that cable median barriers are an effective mechanism for preventing fatal and disabling crashes from median crossovers.
- Traffic accidents account for 2% of all deaths but for drivers age 15-20 they are responsible for 35% of deaths.
The Solution: Low-Cost Improvements Can Make Roads Safer for Teen Drivers
- Sign and pavement marking improvements result in a 42% reduction in crashes.
- Crash studies show that post-mounted delineators and chevrons can reduce run-off-road crashes by up to 58% and 31% respectively.
- Studies show that speed displays can significantly improve speed limit compliance by reducing vehicle speeds by approximately 10 mph.
- Crash studies show that edge lines on two-lane roadways typically reduce crash frequency, especially in horizontal curves.