About 2,500 teens die in motor vehicle crashes each year in the U.S., with accidents being the leading cause of death for this demographic. Fatalities are split between teen drivers (56 percent) and passengers (44 percent), according to a study conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide funded as part of a $2 million grant from the General Motors Foundation.
The report called “Teens in Cars” was based on a national survey of 1,000 teens aged between 13 and 19. Probably the most worrying find was that in half of the fatal crashes, the teen was not wearing a seat belt.
As a matter of fact, one in four teens taking part in the survey admitted to not wearing a seat belt on every ride, while one in two teens said they felt unsafe when riding with a teen driver.
“The results of this research further underscore the importance of reaching teens with the life-saving messages to buckle up during every ride and to speak up when they don’t feel secure,” said Mike Robinson, GM vice president of Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs who serves on the boards of both Safe Kids Worldwide and the GM Foundation.
“It can be uncomfortable for anyone to speak up when they feel unsafe riding in a vehicle, and perhaps even more so for teens riding with their peers,” he added.
According to the study, one in four of all preventable injuries among children is caused by motor vehicle accidents. Scroll down to read more of the study’s findings from the infographic posted below.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
