HHS HealthBeat (July 05, 2006)

Deadly drivers

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ray Sass with HHS HealthBeat.

Researchers say 16-year-olds are the riskiest drivers, crashing their cars more than twice as often as 18-19 year-olds. But graduated driver licensing programs could reduce their fatal car crashes by up to 20 percent.

The programs help new drivers build experience in low-risk environments by restricting the licensing process by stages: First with adult supervision and learners’ permits; then alone, but not at night or with other teens in the car; finally, without restrictions.

Researcher Dr. Li-Hui Chen says the restrictions make the difference.

“The important thing is to have a comprehensive program that covered a lot of different types of restrictions.” (7 seconds)

16 year-olds were involved in over 900 fatal car accidents in 2004, killing more than 1,000 people.

The report in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal, Pediatrics, was supported by HHS’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ray Sass.

Last revised: August, 15 2006