Teen Driver Crashes Cost $34 Billion Annually in U.S.

AAA Michigan supports teen passenger restrictions

DEARBORN, Mich., May 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A first-ever
analysis from AAA finds that crashes involving teen drivers ages 15 to 17
cost American society more than $34 billion annually in medical expenses,
lost work, property damage, quality of life loss and other related costs in
2006.

“The impact of a teen crash extends beyond the emotional tragedies and
physical injury at the crash scene, with costs that can extend to
employers, families, the government and society overall,” said Jack Peet,
community safety services manager for AAA Michigan. “These economic figures
provide one more reason for legislators to improve graduated driver
licensing laws in their states.”

One key improvement would be to limit the number of teen passengers
allowed in a vehicle driven by a teen or novice driver.

According to a March 2008 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), when teenage drivers transport passengers there is
a greatly increased crash risk, with greater risk associated with more
passengers. In fact, when there are multiple passengers, the crash risk is
3 to 5 times greater.

The risk is also greater for younger drivers (age 16 and 17). The study
sponsored by NHTSA found that in California, Massachusetts and Virginia,
passenger restrictions reduced crashes among 16-year-old drivers. Crash
involvement per 1,000 16-year-old drivers fell from 1.07 to 0.85 in
California after passenger restrictions were passed. The reduction was from
0.88 to 0.61 in Massachusetts and from 1.41 to 1.10 in Virginia.

In Michigan, there are currently no passenger limits in place. Rep.
Edward Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe Farms) has sponsored HB 4151, which would
limit the number of teen passengers to one. The bill has been referred to
the legislature’s Transportation committee. Another bill would prohibit
16-year-old drivers from using cell phones while driving. Cell phones and
teen passengers are among the most worrisome sources of distraction for
teen drivers.

New research by AAA shows an alarmingly high number of teens admit to
engaging in very risky behavior behind the wheel. Some of these behaviors
– like driving under the influence — are problems the safety community
has battled for years. Others — like text messaging while driving — are
new behaviors. They all pose a threat to road users and must be corrected
by teens, parents and safe driving educators for the safety of teens and
everyone else who uses our roadways.

“Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens, claiming
more than 6,000 15- to 20-year-olds each year,” said Peet. “Many of these
deadly crashes are due to immaturity and inexperience, factors that can be
partially addressed by helping teens gain valuable driving experience in a
low-risk learning environment.”

A low-risk learning environment includes:
— Minimizing distractions such as teen passengers, cell phones, MP3
players or CDs;
— Driving during the daytime when crash and fatality rates are lower for
teens and drivers of all ages;
— Providing positive driving role models through parents who exhibit
safe driving behaviors such as obeying speed limits, not driving while
distracted, refraining from drinking and driving, and being courteous
to other drivers.

According to Peet, teens need parents to be positive role models and to
play active roles in their driving lives. In addition to spending ample
time in the vehicle during the learner’s permit stage of licensing, parents
also need to start a dialogue with their teens to discuss leading risk
factors for teens and how to prevent them. Discussions can begin with
topics parents may already be familiar with such as obeying speed limits,
wearing seat belts, and the dangers of drinking or using other drugs and
driving. These topics can lead to discussions of the hazards of driving at
night, and various driving distractions such as teen passengers and cell
phones.

To help teens improve their driving skills, parents can purchase AAA’s
Driver-ZED Teen Driving kit, which includes an interactive DVD and a
parent/teen contract that encourages teens to become more responsible
drivers. The kit is available at any full-service AAA branch. A nominal fee
of $10 is charged for members, $15 for non-members. For parents and teens
seeking help with the 50-hour behind the wheel practice phase of driver
education, AAA also offers a “Teaching Your Teens to Drive” handbook and
DVD at $10 for members, $15 for non-members. To order, call 800-646-4222.

AAA Michigan