Young Drivers

Motor vehicle fatalities in 2005 represented the number one cause of death for U.S. adolescents aged 16 to 24. Examining the existing literature on adolescent health and fatality data found in a population of 12 million young drivers highlights some disturbing trends. The results of these efforts reveal a significant relationship between adolescent fatalities and relative authority of state laws governing how young drivers progress from restricted to unrestricted license status. The need for individual states to adopt an ideal graduated drivers licensing program based on best practices is confirmed.