Teen driver fatalities increase in first half of 2012, report shows

Fatal injuries among teen drivers increased in the first six months of 2012, fueling speculation that distracted driving habits coupled with a lack of real-time experience may be playing a part, according to a recently released report.

Drivers aged between 16 and 17 years old were found to be especially vulnerable with the study showing that deaths in passenger vehicles increased by 19 percent in the period from January to June of last year, while the nationwide survey also showed that over half of U.S. states had reported a rise in the number of rookie fatalities.

The survey, conducted by researchers on behalf of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), revealed that the number of 16-year-old drivers killed in the first six month of the year had increased by 24 percent, while the amount of 17-year-old motorists fatally injured rose by 15 percent.

According to CBS News, the study from the GHSA backs up data released by the National Highway Safety Traffic Association, which reports that traffic deaths as a whole increased by 8 percent in the time period under review, although the authors of the report were keen to stress that fatal injuries in the teen driver age group were at a "historically low level."

"Based on 2011 final data and the early look at 2012, it appears that we are headed the wrong direction when it comes to deaths of 16- and 17-year-old drivers," said doctor Allan Williams, the lead researcher. "We are still at a much better place than we were ten or even five years earlier. However, the goal is to strive toward zero deaths, so our aim would be that these deaths should go down every year."

State highway safety agencies have noted that while the figures provided in the GHSA report are preliminary, the projections point to areas of concern among local law enforcement officers and regional accident attorneys. Barbara Harsha, the executive director of GHSA, believes that states should be concentrating on strengthening Graduated Driver Licensing laws and implementing safety awareness programs in high schools, adding that "parents have a huge responsibility to ensure safe teen driving behavior."

"In my state of Tennessee, we have worked extensively to keep teen drivers safe," noted Kendell Poole, chairman of the GHSA. "Despite our efforts, teens remain our most vulnerable population. With the advances in technology, we suspect distracted driving deaths among teen drivers are rising. We continue to work with teens, parents, educators and law enforcement to address this problem."

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