Teenage drivers encounter a higher risk in older vehicles

Failures of engine vehicles are the main cause of death for teenagers. Newer vehicles and technologies for the driver’s power steering show a promise to reduce accidents and severity of injuries. Scientists from the National Children’s Hospital reviewed national data on fatal accidents (2016-2021) and examined the technologies of the vehicle’s age and the help of a driver of vehicles powered by teenagers and middle-aged drivers and their connection with the death of the driver during fatal accidents.

In a study published today, scientists found that driving vehicles aged 6-15 had a 19% greater risk of the driver’s death in fatal accidents, and vehicles older than 15 vehicles had a 31% higher risk, both compared to 5 years or newer vehicles, regardless of the age of the driver. In addition, each driver’s assistance technology already present in vehicles was associated with a 6% reduction in the risk of the driver’s death in fatal cases.

Because every family wants their teenager to come safely anywhere, teen mortality is a serious problem of public health. Considering high accident rates for teenage drivers compared to other age groups and their growing involvement in fatal accidents, it is crucial for teenage drivers of driving the safest available vehicles. ”

Dr Jingzhen Ginger Yang, MPH, main author of the study and main researcher of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute research and policy center at Nationwide Children’s

The study showed that teen drivers (15-18 years) were more prone than middle-aged drivers (31-55 years) to drive vehicles older than 15 years and vehicles with fewer driver assistance technologies at the time of fatal accidents. Older vehicles and vehicles with less driver help were associated with a higher risk of death of drivers involved in fatal accidents, regardless of the age of the driver.

“Our findings, along with other research, emphasize the importance of safe vehicle strategies, education for families and ensuring that teenagers drive safer cars whenever possible,” said Dr. Fangda Zhang, a scientist at the Center for Research and Policy of damage at the national author of children and co-chairmen. “Parents often convey their old vehicles to teenagers who are still learning basic driving skills. Although it is an exciting milestone for families with new drivers, this practice increases the susceptibility of teenagers to vehicle failures, which makes their driving less safe.”

Because parents and guardians often control what vehicles lead their teenagers, their choices significantly affect the safety of teenagers and other road users. After choosing the first car for teenagers, priority safety features should be recommended, ensuring that it is newer and safer, taking into account the increased involvement of teenage drivers in engine vehicle failures and fatal accidents related to motor vehicles.

Based on the results of the research, the authors of the research offer several recommendations:

• Vehicle safety: teenagers should drive the safest available vehicles.
  • Pediatricians and other healthcare employees should advise parents to prioritize their safety functions when choosing the first car for their teenagers and avoid vehicles older than 15 years, especially in the early months of driving without supervision, which is the highest risk of failure risk for teenage drivers.
  • Parents may appeal to the Institute Institute in the field of highway safety (IIHS) in order to obtain a list of inexpensive, safe vehicles for teenagers. If a newer vehicle is not an option, you should encourage you to improve vehicle safety.
• Newer technologies: pediatricians and other healthcare providers should educate families about the benefits of newer vehicle technologies, such as failure avoidance functions, line assistance technology and technologies specific to teenagers, which can significantly reduce failures and related injuries. Families should choose vehicles with more driver help technology for teenagers whenever possible.
• Safe driving habits: pediatricians and other healthcare providers should deal with other aspects of teenagers’ safety outside the choice of vehicle. They should educate parents and teenagers about the danger of risky driving behavior and promote safe driving habits, such as using seat belts, safe night driving, limiting teenagers, avoiding dispersion and compliance with driving license requirements.

Data for this study was obtained from the mortality analysis reporting system (Fars), a comprehensive database of a failure database commonly recognized in traffic safety research due to detailed information on drivers, vehicles and emergency environments involved in fatal accidents in the USA.

The Center for Research and Policy (CIRP) of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute in the National Children’s Hospital works all over the world to reduce pediatric death and disability related to injuries. Thanks to innovative research, CIRP is working on constantly improving the scientific understanding of epidemiology, biomechanics, prevention, acute treatment and rehabilitation of injury. CIRP serves as a pioneer by translating the latest examination of injuries to education, politics and progress in clinical care. In the case of related materials preventing injuries or learn more about CIRP, visit www.injuricider.org. Follow CIRP on ig @cirpatnch.