Statistics show teen drivers most dangerous

Parents who help their teenager obtain a driver's license might think that their job is done after their teenager receives that little piece of plastic with their picture on it. However, it may mean that their job is just beginning.

According to information provided by Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in the fall 2007 issue of the hospital's magazine, Safe & Sound, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has determined that teen drivers are among the most dangerous drivers on the road. Furthermore, AAP said that parents have the ability to help keep their teenagers safe while behind the wheel of a car.

Atkins Insurance, 3 E. Wall, has provided written data pertaining to teenage drivers. The data, which was complied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reveals specific facts about teenage drivers.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for US teens, accounting for 36 percent of all deaths in this age group..." the statement said.

Adding that during 2004, 4,767 youth between the ages of 16 and 19 died because of injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. In addition, about 400,000 teenagers from the same age group received injuries severe enough to require treatment at an emergency room.

According to the information provided by Atkins, teenagers in the age group are at a higher risk of having a wreck.

"The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash," the CDC information said.

According to safe and sound, the AAP advises parents to take specific steps to help ensure the safety of their teenage drivers. Parents are encouraged to be positive role models. The article said that parents who have poor driving records have a greater chance of having teenagers who have poor driving records. The AAP urges parents to be strict and enforce rules to avoid risky driving behaviors. It is also advised that parents and their teenagers sign a driving contract, which clearly states the parent's expectations for the driving teen.

According to information found on the National Safety Council Web site, www.nsc.org, the type of vehicle that a teenager drives could cause increased driving hazards.

"A good deal of the risk teens face depends upon what kind of vehicle they are in, including size and safety features," the Web site said.

In addition, the NSC said that it may be helpful for teenage drivers to limit the amount of time that they drive at night or with passengers, at least for the first 12 to 24 months that they have a drivers license. Although driving-related education courses can be beneficial, NSC said that the courses do not reduce a teens risk of wrecking.

"Driver Education can teach a teen to operate a vehicle and the rules of the road, but the science tells us that traditional Driver Ed doesn't reduce a teen's exposure to crash risk," the NSC online information said.

According to the NSC, many different factors will contribute to safe teenage drivers.

"No single regulation or procedure, Driver Education program, state law or extended supervised practice can, by itself, make your teen a safer driver," the NSC online information said. "There's no silver bullet. Only a combination of practice, gradual exposure to higher risk situations and ongoing parental involvement can reduce a teen's chance of crashing."