May 6 marks the start of the Fifth United Nations (UN) Global Road Safety Week. The week is recognized biannually and emphasizes themes around road safety. This year’s theme is…
Fatal crash risk for teens with passengers rising, even as traffic deaths show 10-year decline
AUSTIN — New research suggests that novice teenage drivers (age 15-17) are about eight times more likely than young adult drivers (age 18-24) to have a fatal crash if teenage passengers…
Universities launch peer-based safe driving program
SAN ANTONIO —Impaired driving is a persistent problem in Texas, particularly among college students. A new peer-based program aims to change that — Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the University…
Peer program & GDL law help Texas lead U.S. in reducing teen crashes
The rate of fatal teen crashes is declining faster and more steadily in Texas than in any other state, thanks in part to a growing program that uses peer communication to reduce the dangers for young drivers, according to a new study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
The study examines the trend in states with at least five years of crash records available after implementation of a graduated driver license (GDL) law, and also illustrates the growth of the Teens in the Driver Seat program which augments the state’s 2002 GDL law. In those years, Texas has outpaced the other 36 states on a number of levels.
Analysis sheds light on growing nighttime driving danger
A new nationwide analysis suggests that distractions – not alcohol – are contributing to a steady increase in nighttime fatal crashes for teenage drivers.
The trends are illustrated in a report produced by the Teens in the Driver Seat Center of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, which examined the effect of light conditions on crashes from 1999 to 2008 in all 50 U.S. states, along with the presence of alcohol as a factor in those crashes. The findings suggest something other than alcohol is pushing the nighttime fatal crash numbers up for teen drivers. The most likely reason, researchers say, is the presence of cell phones.