NCJ Number
174350
Date Published
1998
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This report presents charts, graphs, and lists of information on traffic crash fatalities among youth ages 15-20 years, including fatalities of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists and fatalities in which alcohol was involved.
Abstract
The discussion notes that youth fatalities that were alcohol-related increased by almost 5 percent between 1995 and 1996, although the alcohol-related fatalities for all ages decreased. The increase in youth alcohol-related fatalities was the first since 1990 and only the third increase in 14 years. More than 33 percent of all deaths for people ages 15-20 resulted from motor vehicle crashes. In 1996, almost two-fifths of these motor vehicle fatalities involved alcohol. More than 60 percent of the young people died without using a seat belt or motorcycle helmet. Blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.10 percent accounted for all of the increase in alcohol-related youth fatalities in 1996. BAC crashes between 0.01 and 0.09 decreased by 6 percent. The greatest number of youth fatalities occurred in June, July, and August. Almost twice as many young people died per day in weekend crashes, as on weekdays. The yearly survey of high school seniors that is sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse reveals that self-reported alcohol use has been increasing since 1993; in 1996, binge drinking increased and all other categories of use declined. Figures, tables, and attached packet of figures, tables, and photographs