Traffic Safety Facts: Young Drivers 2008

Abstract

Motor vehicle collisions are consistently the leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of non-fatal injury for young people ages 15 to 20. In 2008 in Indiana, this age group represented 9 percent of the population, 6 percent of licensed drivers, and 17 percent of drivers involved in collisions. This factsheet provides an overview of young driver involvement in collisions in Indiana in 2008, including rates of involvement, contributing factors, restraint and alcohol use, and county comparisons. The impending amendment to the state’s Graduated Driver Licensing system (GDL) is also discussed. Collision data are taken from the Indiana State Police Automated Reporting Information Exchange System as of March 1, 2009.