Preliminary
Data Indicate Deaths of 16- and 17-Year-Old Drivers Up 19 Percent
WASHINGTON,
D.C. -- A report released today by the Governors Highway Safety Association
(GHSA) reveals that the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths in
passenger vehicles increased dramatically for the first six months of 2012,
based on preliminary data supplied by all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Overall, 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths increased from 202 to 240
- a 19 percent jump.
The
new report -- the first state-by-state look at teen driver fatalities in 2012
-- was completed by Dr. Allan Williams, a researcher who formerly served as
chief scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Dr. Williams
surveyed GHSA members, who reported fatality numbers for every state and D.C.
The increase in teen driver deaths coincides with a projection from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in which all traffic
deaths increased by 8 percent. It is particularly concerning that 16- and
17-year-old driver deaths appear to have increased at an even greater rate.
Deaths
of 16-year-old drivers increased from 86 to 107 (a 24 percent change), while
the number for 17-year-old drivers went from 116 to 133 (a 15 percent change),
a cumulative increase of 19 percent. Twenty-five states reported increases, 17
had decreases, and eight states and the District of Columbia reported no change
in the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths.
Dr.
Williams attributes much of the increase to the fact that the benefit of state
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws may be leveling off, as most of these
laws have been in place for some time. Additionally, Dr. Williams speculates
that improving economic conditions are contributing to an increase in teen
driving, thus increasing their exposure to risk. Dr. Williams notes,
"Based on 2011 final data and the early look at 2012, it appears that we
are headed the wrong direction when it comes to deaths of 16- and 17-year-old
drivers."
Dr.
Williams stresses that while today's news is certainly not good, deaths in this
age group remain at a historically low level. He notes, "We are still at a
much better place than we were ten or even five years earlier. However, the
goal is to strive toward zero deaths, so our aim would be that these deaths
should go down every year."
Kendell
Poole, Chairman of GHSA and Director of Tennessee's Governor's Highway Safety
Office, said, "Any increase in highway deaths is unacceptable,
particularly among our teens. We know from research and experience that teen
drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but also a danger to others on the
roadways. So these numbers are a cause for concern." He continued,
"As the report notes, a widespread strengthening of laws is still
possible, and utilizing effective tools outside of GDL should be a focus. These
include improving driver education and ensuring that scientifically based
educational programs are available to new drivers."
Chairman
Poole added, "In my state of Tennessee, we have worked extensively to keep
teen drivers safe. Despite our efforts, teens remain our most vulnerable
population. With the advances in technology, we suspect distracted driving
deaths among teen drivers are rising. We continue to work with teens, parents,
educators and law enforcement to address this problem."
Barbara
Harsha, Executive Director of GHSA, stressed that while data are preliminary,
she is concerned that signs point to a significant increase in 16-
and-17-year-old driver deaths for 2012. She advises states to focus on
strengthening GDL and programs that are data-driven. Harsha adds that states
should consider implementing parent programs to help parents keep their teens
safe. She says, "Parents have a huge responsibility to ensure safe teen
driving behavior. States can facilitate this by providing innovative programs
that bring parents and teens together around this issue."
The
full report, including state-by-state data, is available online at
www.ghsa.org. Image files are also available.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)®
is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states,
territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership
and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety,
influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best
practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal
and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact
GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. Find us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/GHSAhq. Follow us on Twitter at @GHSAHQ.