This Special Report focuses on younger, inexperienced drivers involved in fatal highway crashes in Virginia. Since a dramatic increase in the numbers of teen fatalities and teen-related fatal crashes has occurred between 1999 and 2000, a comparison of crash frequencies and causes were examined to explore the reasons why and what possible remedial actions can be taken to reduce these problems. The Report examines fatal crash data for 1998, 1999 and 2000 as well as other youth related statistics for the past decade. As a way of illustrating the tragic results of teen traffic crashes, six case studies are presented showing the various causal factors associated with these events. Drivers 16-20 years of age are over represented in fatal crashes and are more at risk than any other driver age group in Virginia. There are four major factors that contribute to increased risk: male drivers, teens accompanied by other teens, single vehicle/ run-off-the road crashes and infrequent belt use among teens. As in past Virginia studies and national trends, this report shows that young drivers more often engage in higher risk behavior than do older drivers and frequently crash because of driver inexperience and/or driver immaturity. The purpose of the Report is to identify the underlying contributing factors and characteristics of teen-related fatal crashes. Data in this report was gleaned from accident reports provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This information can be used to assist driver education personnel, teen drivers, parents of teens, law enforcement and DMV authorities, the Virginia General Assembly and others in increasing awareness and taking appropriate countermeasures needed to better combat the problem of young people being overrepresented in fatal crashes. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting