Romance with the automobile in the 20th century: implications for adolescents in a new millennium.

Abstract

Nearly three-fourths of deaths among American adolescents and young adults result from only four causes: motor vehicle accidents, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Thirty percent of those deaths result from motor vehicle accidents, the number one cause of death among adolescents. A number of factors that influence the morbidity and mortality are associated with driving. Compared to other countries, it is easier for American adolescent to obtain a relatively inexpensive license and gain access to a car. For the young driver, adolescent development and increased risk taking, inexperience, dangerous driving behavior, and alcohol-related factors are of special significance. In this article, we review recent crash statistics as well as effectiveness of various preventive measures, including driver education, graduated licensing, alcohol-related measures, and vehicle-related factors. Graduated licensing and alcohol-related measures have been the most effective measures so far.