In 2008 there were 16.7 fatal automobile accidents per 100,000 teenage drivers (aged 16 and 17), compared to 27.1 per 100,000 in 2008, a drop of 38%, according to a new report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite this encouraging decline, vehicle crashes are still the biggest causes of death among American teenagers – one third of all deaths for this age group. The highest risk of death is during the first twelve months of driving. Between 2004 and 2008 a total of 9,644 individuals aged 16 or 17 years lost their lives in automobile accidents.
The authors gathered data on vehicle crash deaths among 16 and 17 year-olds from the Fatality Analysis Report System (FARS), a census of fatal traffic crashes in the USA maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The researchers reveal wide variations across states, from 9.7 per 100,000 in New Jersey to 59.6 per 100,000 in Wyoming (for the whole 2004-2008 period).
The CDC emphasizes the need for vigorous monitoring of underage drinking, checking BAC (blood alcohol concentrations), and safety belt use. Each state should also re-assess their GDL (graduated driver licensing) programs.
The censes defined a fatal crash as one in which at least one vehicle occupant, cyclist, pedestrian (nonoccupant) involved in a vehicle crash died within one month of the accident. In this analysis, the researchers limited their study to drivers only of automobiles, SUVs (sports utility vehicles), pick-up trucks and vans, otherwise known as passenger vehicles.
10,048 16 or 17 year-olds, drivers and non-drivers died in vehicle accidents between 2004 and 2008, of which 96% were driving at the time (9,644).
Highlighted below are some facts the report reveals (2004-2008, drivers aged 16 or 17 years):
- There were 9,494 fatal crashes, in which 9,644 people aged 16 and 17 died
- 4,705 (approx 50%) of these accidents involved just one vehicle
- 3,796 (approx 42%) involved two vehicles
- 813 (approx 8%) involved at least three vehicles
- 65% of drivers involved in fatal crashes were male
- 36% of drivers of both sexes involved in fatal crashes were driving too fast when the crash occurred
- Out of 46% of drivers whose blood alcohol levels were known, 21% had been drinking alcohol (79% had a zero count)
- Of those with a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC), levels varied from 0.01g/dL to 0.55 g/dL (median 0.11 g/dL)
Below is the fatality rate for drivers aged 16 or 17 years, for the year 2008 only, per 100,000:
- Alabama – 45
- Alaska – 4
- Arizona – 35
- Arkansas – 24
- California – 67
- Colorado – 21
- Connecticut – 12
- Delaware – 4
- District of Columbia not used because there were only figures for under 20 years of age.
- Florida – 110
- Georgia – 66
- Hawaii – 2
- Idaho – 9
- Illinois – 31
- Indiana – 47
- Iowa – 16
- Kansas – 19
- Kentucky – 31
- Louisiana – 30
- Maine – 6
- Maryland – 31
- Massachusetts – 31
- Michigan – 47
- Minnesota – 22
- Mississippi – 26
- Missouri – 48
- Montana – 13
- Nebraska – 18
- Nevada – 11
- New Hampshire – 4
- New Jersey – 21
- New Mexico – 17
- New York – 33
- North Carolina – 57
- North Dakota – 6
- Ohio – 62
- Oklahoma – 31
- Oregon – 5
- Pennsylvania – 55
- Rhode Island – 3
- South Carolina – 30
- South Dakota – 12
- Tennessee – 42
- Utah – 9
- Vermont – 4
- Virginia – 48
- Washington – 19
- West Virginia – 9
- Wisconsin – 34
- Wyoming – 7
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), CDC
October 22, 2010 / 59(41);1329-1334
Written by Christian Nordqvist