It’s Teen Driver Safety Week and The I.I.I. Has Insurance and Safety Information, Experts Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

NEW YORK, October 21, 2014— Reporters looking for experts on insurance and teen drivers are encouraged to contact the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)

Auto crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. youths between the ages of 15 to 20, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2012 (the latest year statistics are available), 4,283 young drivers aged 15-20 were involved in fatal crashes, and 1,875 of those drivers (44 percent) died in the crash, NHTSA reports.

Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors leading to the high crash rate among teens, according to the I.I.I. Teens’ lack of experience affects their recognition of, and response to, hazardous situations and results in dangerous practices, such as speeding and tailgating.

Other major contributing factors to the higher crash risk of young drivers are night driving and teen passengers. Teenagers are involved in more motor vehicle crashes late in the day, and at night, than at other times of the day.

As part of the federal government’s National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 19-25, 2014), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is promoting its “5 to Drive” campaign, “which encourages parents and guardians to set clear rules related to some of the riskiest behaviors associated with young drivers before they get behind the wheel.”

Graduated drivers license (GDL) laws, which include a three-phase program that allows teen drivers to develop more mature driving attitudes and gain experience, have been successful in reducing teen motor vehicle accidents, points out the I.I.I.

RELATED LINKS

Articles: Safety Tips for Teen Drivers Shopping for a Safe Car

Facts and Statistics: Teenage Drivers
Highway Safety

Issues Update:
Teen Drivers

Video:
Protecting Teenaged Drivers

The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its You Tube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.

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Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org