Understanding Younger Drivers
Name
Agency
Date, Year
What is the Problem?
Traffic crashes are the leading
cause of death for younger
people under the age of 29. In
2013:
– 124 fatalities
(32% of all traffic fatalities)
– 12,262 injuries
(40% of the all traffic injuries)
2
What is the Problem?
Minnesota Younger Drivers in
2013 (Ages 15-29)
– 946,508 licensed drivers
(23% of all drivers)
– 46,850 crashes
(35% of all crashes)
3
What is the Problem?
93% of
crashes are
due, in part,
to driver
behavior
4
Younger Driver Risk Factors
• Immaturity and developmental characteristics such
as heightened impulsivity and sensation-seeking
behavior
• A lack of driving skills and experience
• Exposure to higher risk driving environments (e.g.,
driving at night or with adolescent passengers)
• Greater willingness to engage in risk-taking behavior
(e.g., distracted driving, speed and seatbelt non-use)
• Overestimation of their ability to multitask while
driving
5
Younger Driver Risk Factors
The Minnesota DPS Office of Traffic Safety reveals that
teen crashes have predictable patterns, such as, teens:
• Are prone to making simple driving errors, often while
speeding.
• Are twice as likely to crash at night.
• Commonly crash while driving to and from school,
especially after school, and with other teens in the
car.
• Crash risk greatly increases with the presence of
teen passengers; teen passengers promote risktaking behaviors.
6
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Overview
46% of crashes
each year
involved
younger drivers.
7
All Younger Drivers
PSA Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvLaTupw-hk
8
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Year
Younger driver severe crashes for ages 21-29 have
remained consistent over the past five years, while
crashes for ages 15-20 have decreased.
9
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Age and Gender
66% of younger drivers in severe crashes are male.
10
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Type
Run-off-road and right angle crashes are the most
prevalent severe crash types for younger drivers, 27% and
23% respectively.
11
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Time of Day
21% of severe crashes involving younger drivers
occurred between the hours of 3:00 – 5:59PM.
12
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Month
There was a slight increase in severe crashes involving
younger drivers in the summer months, but overall, the
crashes occur relatively evenly throughout the year.
13
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Road Type
40% of severe crashes involving younger drivers occur
on rural 2-lane roadways.
14
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Traffic Control at Intersections
44% of younger driver severe crashes at intersections for
ages 15-20 occurred at side-street stop-controlled
intersections.
Younger driver severe crashes at intersections for ages 2129 occurred at signalized and stop-controlled intersections,
34% and 36% respectively.
15
All Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Additional Contributing Factors
The majority of severe crashes involving younger
drivers were intersection-related or lane departure
crashes.
16
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Overview
24% of
crashes
involving
younger
occupants
were
unbelted
17
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
PSA Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-8PBx7isoM
18
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Severe Crash Facts
• 69% were male
• 56% were run-off-road crashes
• 59% occurred on rural, 2-lane roads
• 21% occurred between midnight and 3AM
• Lane departure was the leading contributing factor
19
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Strategy Considerations
• Teen passengers at highest risk for unbelted severe crash.
• Social pressure to not buckle up and poor understanding of risks of
injury contribute to lower belt use among teens.
• Younger drivers more likely to buckle up due to enforcement and
stronger belt penalties.
• Strengthen perception of being stopped through high-viz enforcement.
• Implement peer competitions to increase observed belt use.
• Incorporate peer‐to‐peer outreach to change norms or expectations and
attitudes around seat belt use.
• Engage parents to monitor teen belt use and impose consequences.
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Overview
24% of
crashes
involving
young drivers
were alcoholrelated
21
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
PSA Video
http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/CAMPAIGNS/Drunk+Driving/Drive+
Sober+or+Get+Pulled+Over/Saint+Patrick%27s+Day/Video+-+No+Money
22
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Severe Crash Facts
• Crashes decreased for the past 5 years (ages 1520 only)
• 80% were male
• 76% were 21 years of age or older
• 54% were run-off-road crashes
• 51% occurred on 2-lane rural roads
• 34% occurred between Midnight and 3 AM
• Lane departure was the leading contributing factor
23
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Strategy Considerations
• Drivers under age 19 are less likely than adults to drink and
drive; when they do, their risk of crash is greater.
• Younger drivers hold misconceptions & exaggerated views of
peers drinking & driving behavior.
• Perceptions of peers behavior—or how many drinks “most
friends” have before driving—heavily influences drinking and
driving decisions.
• Overestimating peers’ approval influences motivation to
drink & drive.
• Safety interventions aimed at correcting perceptions of
peers’ attitudes toward drinking and driving reduce
motivations to drink and drive.
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Overview
21% of
crashes
involved
younger
drivers were
speedingrelated
25
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
PSA Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpJhf3qoOk4
26
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Severe Crash Facts
•
•
•
•
•
74% were male
51% were run-off-road crashes
48% occurred on rural, 2-lane roads
21% occurred between midnight and 3 AM
Lane departure and lack of seatbelt use were the
leading contributing factors
27
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Strategy Considerations
• Drivers perceive posted speed limits as a minimum speed to
drive
• Drivers have varying beliefs about how fast to drive before being
ticketed
• Factors influencing speed: being late, social pressure,
inattention, positive feelings about driving fast
• Enforce posted speed limits and provide consistent and
sustained enforcement; include communication about the
enforcement
• Advocate for stronger speed penalties; consider stronger city
ordinances for speeding on local roads
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Overview
17% of
crashes
involving
younger
drivers were
distractionrelated
29
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
PSA Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnw_7xI5klM
30
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Severe Crash Facts
• 63% were male
• 52% were run-off-road crashes and rear end/sideswipe passing
crashes
• 41% occurred on rural, 2-lane roads
• 22% occurred between 3 PM and 6 PM
• Crashes were more predominant in the summer months of June
and July
• 49% occurred at side-street stop-controlled intersections (ages
15-20 only)
• 34% occurred at stop-controlled intersections (ages 21-29 only)
• 34% occurred at signalized intersections (ages 21-29 only)
• Lane departure and intersection-related were the leading
contributing factors
31
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Strategy Considerations
• Cell phone use, among all distractions, is particularly risky due to
frequency and length of cell use; “addictive” quality of cell use
• Teen drivers vs. adults, divert attention to secondary tasks for
longer timeframes resulting in sizeable increase in crash risk
• Nationally, 1/3 of drivers 18 to 24 believe eyes off the road for 3
to 10 seconds is safe
• Distracted driving is highly under-reported
• Parents and peers are critical influencers for teen drivers in
establishing norms or expectations regarding acceptable driving
behavior and perceived risk.
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Strategies for Behavior Change
Most effective formula for changing driver
behavior:
1. Strong policy or laws
2. Enforcement of the laws
3. Education and outreach
about driving risks and
enforcement
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Example Local Community
Safety Strategies
For Belt Use, Distracted, Speed, & Alcohol:
• Publicize and support high-visibility law
enforcement efforts
• Promote local employer traffic safety policies
and training
• Promote parental
engagement
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Questions?
Impaired
Name
Agency
Email
Phone
Thank You!
35
OptionalImpaired
Additional Slides
The remaining slides provide:
• More detailed graphs for the four behavioral
areas.
• Additional behavioral safety strategies
Use these slides to tailor and incorporate into
your presentation to fit your audience’s needs.
36
ImpairedOccupants
Unbelted Younger
37
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Year
Unbelted younger driver or passenger severe crashes
for ages 21-29 have remained consistent over the
past five years, while crashes for ages 15-20 have
decreased.
38
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Age and Gender
69% of unbelted younger drivers or passengers
involved in a severe crash are male.
39
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Crash Type
56% of severe crashes involving unbelted younger
drivers or passengers were run-off-road crashes.
40
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Time of Day
21% of unbelted younger driver severe crashes occurred
between the hours of 12:00 – 2:59 AM.
41
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Month
There was a slight increase in severe crashes involving unbelted
younger drivers or passengers in the spring/summer for driver
ages 15-20, but overall, the crashes do not seem to have a
significant pattern throughout the year.
42
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Road Type
59% of severe crashes involving unbelted younger
drivers or passengers occurred on rural, 2-lane roads.
43
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Crashes by Traffic Control at Intersections
36% of unbelted-related severe crashes involving younger
drivers and passengers at intersections occurred at sidestreet stop-controlled intersections. 37% of intersectionrelated crashes had unknown signal control.
44
Unbelted Younger
Occupants
Impaired
Additional Contributing Factors
Lane departure was the leading contributing factor of
severe crashes involving unbelted younger drivers and
passengers.
45
AlcoholImpaired
- Younger Drivers
46
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Year
Impaired and alcohol-related severe crashes for drivers ages
15-20 have decreased in the past 5 years, while crashes for
drivers ages 21-29 have remained relatively stable.
47
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Age and Gender
80% of impaired and alcohol-related severe crashes
involved a male younger driver.
76% of impaired and alcohol-related severe crashes
involved younger drivers that were 21 years of age or older.
48
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Crash Type
54% of impaired or alcohol-related severe crashes
involving younger drivers were run-off-road crashes.
49
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Time of Day
34% of impaired or alcohol-related severe crashes involving
younger drivers occurred between the hours of 12:00 –
2:59AM.
50
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Time of Day and Month
Impaired or alcohol-related severe crashes for younger
drivers do not seem to have a significant pattern
throughout the year.
51
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Road Type
51% of impaired or alcohol-related severe crashes
involving younger drivers occurred on 2-lane rural roads.
52
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Traffic Control at Intersections
Impaired and alcohol-related severe crashes at
intersections occurred at signalized and stopcontrolled intersections, 26% and 29% respectively.
39% had unknown signal control.
53
Alcohol - Younger Drivers
Impaired
Additional Contributing Factors
Lane departure was the leading contributing factor of
impaired and alcohol-related severe crashes involving
younger drivers.
54
Impaired
Speeding
Younger Drivers
55
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Year
Speeding severe crashes involving younger drivers
have remained stable from 2009 to 2013.
56
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Age and Gender
74% of speeding younger drivers involved in a severe
crash are male.
57
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Crash Type
51% of severe crashes involving speeding younger
drivers were run-off-road crashes.
58
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Time of DaY
21% of speeding-related severe crashes involving younger
drivers occurred between the hours of 12:00 – 2:59 AM.
59
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Month
There was a slight increase in severe crashes involving speeding
younger driver in July, but overall, the crashes do not seem to
have a significant pattern throughout the year.
60
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Road Type
48% of severe crashes involving speeding younger drivers
occurred on rural, 2-lane roads.
61
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Traffic Control at Intersections
35% of speeding-related severe crashes involving younger
drivers at intersections for ages 15-29 at signalized
intersections. 39% of intersection-related crashes had
unknown signal control.
62
Speeding
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Additional Contributing Factors
Lane departure and lack of seatbelt use were the leading
contributing factors of severe crashes involving speeding
younger drivers.
63
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Overview
64
Distracted
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Year
Distracted severe crashes involving younger drivers
have remained stable from 2009 to 2013.
65
Distracted
Younger
Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Age and Gender
63% of distracted younger drivers involved in severe
crashes are male.
66
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Type
52% of severe crashes involving distracted younger drivers
were run-off-road crashes and rear end/sideswipe passing
crashes.
67
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Time of Day
22% of severe crashes involving younger drivers occurred
between the hours of 3:00 – 5:59PM
68
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Month
Distracted severe crashes involving younger drivers
are more predominant in the summer months of June
and July.
69
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Road Type
41% of severe crashes involving distracted younger
drivers occurred on rural, 2-lane roads.
70
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Crashes by Traffic Control at Intersections
49% of distracted younger driver severe crashes at
intersections for ages 15-20 occurred at side-street stopcontrolled intersections.
Distracted younger driver severe crashes at intersections for
ages 21-29 occurred at signalized and stop-controlled
intersections, 34% and 34% respectively
71
Distracted Younger Drivers
Impaired
Additional Contributing Factors
Lane departure and intersection-related were the
leading contributing factors of severe crashes
involving distracted young drivers.
72
Example Local Community
Safety Strategies
For Belt Use:
• Promote “Saved by the Belt” testimonies
during seat belt enforcement saturations
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Example Local Community
Safety Strategies
For Distracted Driving:
• Strengthen understanding and experience
with dangers of distracted driving
U of MN Distraction Dodger simulator game
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Example Local Community
Safety Strategies
For Impaired and Alcohol-Related:
• Promote local liquor establishments’
participation in DPS server/seller training to
help prevent over serving & selling to minors
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies
Example Local Community
Safety Strategies
For Impaired and Alcohol-Related:
• Implement or strengthen community sober
ride and alternative transportation services
Younger Drivers Toolkit for Local Agencies