An Analysis of Teen-Age Driver Crashes 2005-2008

This study was conducted at the request of an advocate group that wanted information to assist them in developing public information and education countermeasures for teen-age drivers. While most past CAPS studies of youth-involved drivers were limited to 16-20 year olds, the advocate group was also interested in 15 year olds, and they were not interested in 20 year olds. In Alabama 15-year-olds can only legitimately drive a motor vehicle if they have a learner’s permit or a special motorcycle license. They are only permitted to drive a vehicle other than a motorcycle accompanied by an adult in the front seat. The findings include the following: (1) A much higher percentage of 15-19 drivers than other age drivers are involved in crashes during the morning and afternoon rush hours, and during all evening hours from afternoon rush hour to midnight. (There is a significant spike during the hour after school lets out.) This is the time when most teens are driving (to and from school), and it demonstrate to some extent restrictions that might be placed on them from driving at other times. It may also show to some extent the relative inability of teen drivers to navigate through heavier traffic as compared to older more experienced drivers. (2) There is a pronounced increase in the percentage of 15-19 year old drivers involved in crashes around holiday weeks, spring break, the end of school year (May), the beginning of school year (August), and Fall Break. These would all be times of potentially increased driving activity as well as increased social activity.

• Record URL:
  • http://care.cs.ua.edu/docs/AN%20ANALYSIS%20OF%20TEEN-AGE%20DRIVER%20CRASHES%202005-2008.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

  CARE Research and Development Laboratory
  Box 870290
  Tuscaloosa, AL  United States  35487
• Authors:
  • Watkins, Angie
  • Brown, David
• Publication Date: 2010-1-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: 4p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash analysis; Highway safety; Holidays; Periods of the day; Teenage drivers; Traffic crashes
• Geographic Terms: Alabama
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01380307
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 21 2012 8:50AM