After compiling data from just the first six months of 2012, researchers have already noticed an uptick within the number of highway fatalities across America´s roadways. Most upsetting about these figures are the numbers of teenage fatalities.
According to a different study from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the teenage fatality increase was “dramatic” from January to June of 2012, jumping by 19 percent. It reported that 240 teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 died on America´s highways throughout the six-month period, up from 202 the throughout the same time period this year.
The information was published by Dr. Allan Williams, inside a first-of-its-kind study on teenage car accident deaths on a state-by-state basis. Dr. Williams found his data confirmed an early on prediction through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which expected all traffic deaths to improve by as much as 8 percent.
All told, 25 states (including Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Oregon) reported an increase in fatalities of 16- and 17-year olds while 17 states (including California, Florida, Idaho and Texas) reported home loan business these deaths. Eight states, such as the District of Columbia, reported flat numbers without any change.
“We are still in a much better place than we were 10 or even 5 years earlier,” explained Dr. Williams inside a statement. “However, the aim is to strive toward zero deaths, so our aim is these deaths should go down every year.”
Speaking to USA Today, Dr. Williams claims a recovering economy might be partially responsible for this increase in traffic deaths among the youngest drivers.
Teenagers famously have a disposable income, so when these drivers convey more profit their pocket, they´re more prone to hit the street, said Dr. Williams. Whenever we were within an economic downturn, these kids had less money and for that reason were less likely they are driving.
He also suspects state governments have grown to be lax within their graduated driver licensing [GDL] laws, which give teen drivers more privileges as they earn more experience driving.
“We’ve gotten lots of mileage from GDL, but many of states still have programs which are somewhat weak,” said Dr. Williams. “We need to pay more attention to the things that we all know work.”
Kendell Poole, the chairman of the GHSA, claims there might be another good point in the rise of teenage traffic fatalities.
“In my state of Tennessee, we have worked extensively to keep teen drivers safe,” said Poole in the statement. “Despite our efforts, teens remain our most vulnerable population. With the advances in technology, we suspect distracted driving deaths among teen drivers are rising.”
It is important to notice these conclusions are now being drawn from preliminary data. Yet, other GHSA executives already are concerned this early data is but a precursor for an even more significant increase in teen deaths over this past year.
