Novice Teen Drivers and Crashes: Just How Worried Should We Be and What Should We Do About It?

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States and the majority of deaths occur in vehicles being driven by teenagers. This commentary addresses concerns about teenage drivers and makes recommendations about how to reduce or solve the problem. The author considers the statistics of teenage automobile accidents, then discusses the role of immaturity, including the need for complex new psychomotor skills, and lack of driving experience in the causes of these automobile crashes. The author introduces the concept of a graduated licensing system as one that limits the exposure of teens to the riskiest situations while they are acquiring critical skills and experience in their initial driving period. The author also discusses passengers in the teen driver's vehicle, nighttime driving, the use of safety belts, the role of alcohol, and the types of cars that novice teens should be driving. The author concludes by emphasizing the important role that parents play in making sure that teen drivers learn their new skills adequately and are not put in a position to drive beyond their ability.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01960644
• Authors:
  • McKay, Mary Pat
• Publication Date: 2005-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 639-642
• Serial:
  • Annals of Emergency Medicine
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: American College of Emergency Physicians
  • ISSN: 0196-0644

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol use; Crashes; Driver errors; Driver experience; Graduated licensing; High risk drivers; Parents; Prevention; Seat belts; Teenage drivers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Child development
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01010589
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 18 2005 6:19AM