RTSSC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	Policy Focus for Reducing North Dakota Teen Driver Crash Injury
Authors:	Kimberly Vachal and Donald Malchose
Publication Date:	Jan 2009
TRID #:	01705807
Keywords:	age groups, crash characteristics, crash rates, gender, graduated licensing, injury severity, policy, recommendations, seat belt use, teenage drivers
Type:	Research Report

Abstract

For North Dakota teens, three of every four deaths are from motor vehicle crashes. Injury crash records for teen drivers were studied to gain insight regarding driver, vehicle, and road factors for public safety policy and program discussions. Results show 14-year-old drivers are three times more likely to die or be disabled in an injury crash than 17-year-old drivers, and that male drivers are 30 percent less likely to incur severe injury. As expected, seat belt use is a critical factor in severe injury avoidance. The likelihood for death or disablement is 165 percent greater for unbelted teen drivers than for those who are properly belted. In addition, rural and gravel roads pose a risk. Teens are six times more likely to be severely injured in crashes on rural roads than on urban roads. Findings suggest that an increased licensing age and seat belt emphasis may reduce teen traffic injuries in the state. In addition, more information on exposure should be attained to better understand rural and gravel road as risks.