An Erie Insurance analysis of teen driving data finds the number of teens killed in car crashes has dropped dramatically over the past several years. ERIE reviewed data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on the number of teens who died in crashes when a teen was driving. The data showed that 4,216 teens died in such crashes in 2007 compared with 2,142 who died in 2013, the most recent year for which data is available. The total number of fatalities includes both teen drivers and passengers.
Despite the drop, driving remains a dangerous activity for teens, with the teen driving death rate 15 percent higher than adults. Accidents remain the leading cause of death among teens. This interactive infographic shows the rates - from least to most dangerous - for each state.
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concludes that graduated driver licensing laws, which phase in driving privileges over time as teens gain more experience, is one reason for the improved safety record, and that stronger GDL laws would lead to even more improvements.
To help encourage safe driving among teens, Erie Insurance is holding its fourth annual social media contest "Shift" which rewards teens for pledging to drive safely and encouraging their peers to do the same. More than $20,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to teens and their schools for spreading the safe driving message.
Here's how the contest works:
- Teens log on to www.jointheshift.org to learn safe driving habits aimed at keeping them and their friends safe behind the wheel.
- They earn points through activities such as signing a pledge to be a safe driver, creating safe-driver videos, and posting Shift safe driving messages on Facebook® and Twitter®.
- The teens and schools with the most points are awarded prizes.
- The contest ends Friday, Nov. 13, 2015.
Complete contents rules can be found at jointheshift.org.