TEENS behind the WHEEL

(The following, is an excerpt from the "Teens
Behind the Wheel" Information Packet)

KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT TEEN DRIVING

The first step in keeping safe is knowing some of the factors that may cause accidents. We invite parents and teens to sit down together to discuss these statistics.

•   In 2001, 8,131 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were involved in fatal crashes. An additional 331.000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

•   54% of people who die in auto crashes are drivers; 44% are passengers.

•   25% of fatally injured teen drivers had blood alcohol concentrations at or above 0.08%.

•   54% of teenage motor vehicle deaths occur on Friday. Saturday and Sunday.

•   43% of teenage motor vehicle deaths occur between 9pm and 6am.

•   Seat belt use reduces the risk of serious or fatal injury to front seat passengers by up to 45-50%.

Resource:  National highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts 2001 — Young Drivers; Insurance Institute far highway Safety, Fatality Facts Teenagers (November 2002).

Although these statistics are scary and, in some cases, seem to reflect poorly on teen drivers, they are simply facts and figures, not a personal reflection on any one or every teen’s judgment. Simply being a teenager does not mean that you are irresponsible or that you’re a reckless driver.

What these statistics mean is that teens are at increased risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident and of dying in an auto accident. Teens need to recognize these facts and understand how to decrease their chances of harm and increase their chances of safe, accident-free driving.

Visit the New Jersey State Website about useful information relating to teen drivers.