Starting Over Talk

Young Driver Research Initiative

Motor vehicle crashes are the No.1 cause of death among teens in the U.S. Awareness of the importance of seat belt use and of the dangers of drinking and driving has grown, yet motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities among young people in the U.S. continue unabated. The fatality rate for drivers age 16 to 19 years, _base_d on miles driven, is four times that of drivers age 25 to 69 years. In 2005, nearly 7,500 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal crashes.1 Clearly, more work needs to be done in this area of research and outreach to reduce these teen crash rates and their resulting deaths and disabilities.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania, and State Farm Insurance Companies ®, the same academic-industry alliance that created and sustains the worlds largest study of children in crashes, have joined together to address the urgent need to advance science to reduce death and injury from young driver-related crashes.



http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp ... This is a great website full of information on parent's role in helping teens to drive safely. Please take some time and visit this website.

Post edited by: TigerRose, at: 2007/01/30 08:58

Thanks for the _link_ TigerRose. I couldn't get to that page when I tried, but, I'll try again later.

I don't know what it will take to help the situation. Teen fatalities are very high in my county. It happens over and over, sometimes in the same school, but, yet it doesn't seem to deter the teen driver from repeating the same conduct. Many of these deaths are from young drivers, mainly male, drinking, speeding and even racing their car at high rates of speed. Several of the boys are killed and yet within months, a similar accident happens with those boys former classmates. I know there are programs that go to the school to help prevent it, but, it doesn't seem to help.

I worry because I have 2 teen nieces who drive. I know they say they are safe drivers, but, you never know. I wish someone knew how to stop this horrible problem.

My daughter just recently told me about a fatal car accident in her area... it happened late at night... very cold... some icy road conditions. No one knows if drinking was involved, but all that were in the accident died. Two co-workers were involved and needless to say... it was a shock to all that knew these people.

Unfortunately... unless something as awful as this happens... close to home... to someone one knows... people just don't think it could happen to them... especially young people... who seem to feel so invincible.

http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp?id=85541

That should work.. I tested it.

It has some guides on teaching kids how to be better drivers. They investigated the top reasons why teens have fatal accidents and such. The teen may be a safe driver when one on one with an adult but when other teens are in the car... even if the driver doesn't goof off too... they can be easily distracted by the other teens.

Also they bring up a very valid point in one area. We can't expect our teens to drive safely and follow the law if we don't. The kids do watch us take chances when we're in a hurry, cut off others, speed, get impatient with other drivers. They also see us when we are being courteous, cautious, and obeying the law. (I see such rude horrible driving behavior at my son's middle schools. So many near accidents because several people don't practice courteousness.)

Anyways... best thing to do is read it. It caught my attention since my teen will be eligble to drive in 2-3 years.

Oh Yeah!!! My daughter just turned 16 and has completed all the classes. Colorado passed some stricter teen driving laws than when I was a teen. I'm very grateful for that!! However, our family has even stricter rules!!! I'm a volunteer EMT and I was on a DUI task force for a while..........so my kids know what to expect!!! Hubby was also raised in the mountains........so they'll be well-trained in snowy/icy driving.

Parents' example IS huge and the last couple of years I've really noticed and changed much of my irritated behaviors. I never flipped anyone off...........but I would drive a bit too close....never tailgating badly though........and mostly just getting angry and then driving fast. I've made big adjustments in my actions and in being very open with my kids about this..........it DOES make an impact!!!!

TigerRose...........thanks for the _link_...........I always love any extra info I can get!!!

On tv they showed where a father was against his 16 year old son driving and of course he was full of promises of how careful he would be. As Judge Judy says all teenager lie to get out of trouble.

Well the father puts something on the truck that would monitor the speed. Lo and behold how shocked the father was to see that his son did several times 100 miles an hour especially with all the promises and begging he did.

In my city there are teens dying a lot from car wrecks. But I do contribute often--not all--but most time our cars are made of plastic. 35 miles an hour and you have crumpled heap. Or the SUV that are easy roll overs. Our automobiles are death traps and not made like years ago.

One thing for sure--things my parents did one cannot do today with a car. Nor can you make a mistake. And one big culprit is that young people don't want to wear seat belts. They are often killed cause they refuse to put a seat belt on.