The objective of this study was to provide a description of fatal crashes involving 13-15-year-old drivers and passengers.: Information on fatal crashes and crash characteristics was obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System for 2005-2009. During 2005-2009, 1,994 passengers and 299 drivers ages 13-15 died in motor vehicle crashes, an average of about 460 each year. On average, an additional 89 13-15-year-old drivers were involved each year in crashes fatal to other drivers or passengers. The 1,994 passenger deaths during the 2005-2009 period far exceeded the number of driver deaths (299) or the number of drivers in fatal crashes (744). Passenger deaths occurring with teenage drivers, particularly 16-17-year-olds, increased with passenger age. About one-third of 13-15-year-old passengers were using seat belts, and use decreased with passenger age. Most 13-15-year-old drivers in crashes were driving either with no license or permit (63 percent), or with a permit but without required adult presence (10 percent). Fatal crash rates per 100,000 population, referenced to 25-59-year-old driver rates, were highest for 13-15-year-olds in states that license before age 16. Few drivers (about 12 per year) were supervised learners. Fatal crashes involving learner drivers without adult presence, and especially crashes of drivers without licenses or permits, were more likely than those of other drivers to involve high-risk actions such as speeding and nonuse of belts. Supervised learners had the lowest rates of high-risk actions. It is concluded that the main issues for 13-15-year-olds’ motor vehicle deaths are passenger deaths and driving without a license or adult supervision. Passenger restrictions, higher licensing ages, efforts to increase seat belt use, and better parental monitoring and control of 13-15-year-olds may help address these problems. (Author/publisher)
Abstract