Researchers see more fatalities associated with this overlooked group
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A study released today
from the research alliance of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
(CHOP) and State Farm Insurance Companies(R) in the journal Pediatrics
sheds light on an often-overlooked group of teen drivers: those without a
license. According to national traffic fatality data, this group is
disproportionately involved in fatal crashes. The 2006 National Young
Driver Survey (NYDS) of more than 5,500 teens across the country revealed
that about six percent of students in grades 9 through 11 reported driving
unsupervised without a license. However, according to the national fatality
data, a full 20 percent of 14- to 18-year-old drivers involved in fatal
crashes in 2006 did not have a license. This means unlicensed teens are
significantly over-represented in fatal crashes.
"According to our survey, unlicensed teen drivers engage in unsafe
driving behaviors more often than their legally driving peers," says Flaura
Koplin Winston, M.D., Ph.D., co-scientific director of CHOP's Center for
Injury Research and Prevention and a co-author of the study. "Unlicensed
teens are more likely to report not wearing a seat belt, driving under the
influence of drugs or alcohol, and driving without a purpose, behaviors
known to be associated with fatal crashes." Dr. Winston co-wrote the study
with Michael Elliott, Ph.D., a biostatistician at the University of
Michigan School of Public Health, and Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, M.S.Ed. of
CHOP.
"This issue also impacts those who share the roads with unlicensed
drivers," notes Laurette Stiles, vice president of Strategic Resources at
State Farm. "As the nation's largest auto insurer we are committed to
working with researchers, educators, and parents to reach out to all teens
to address risky teen driving behaviors."
Researchers say knowing which teens are driving without a license makes
it possible to develop effective interventions to address unsafe behaviors
that are linked to an elevated risk of injury and death. In addition to
behavioral risk factors, the researchers identified demographic traits that
are associated with a teen's likelihood to drive without a license. In the
self-report survey, teens who live in central city or rural areas and
identify themselves as African American or Hispanic were the most likely to
say they drive without a license at least one hour per week. Researchers
are careful not to oversimplify the issue, however.
"Not all kids who are driving unlicensed are doing so for the same
reasons," explains Dr. Winston. "Some are simply more likely to take risks
with their driving - such as driving under the influence - which prevent
them from getting or keeping a license. However, there also may be teens
who need to drive to work or school but are unable to obtain or maintain a
license for reasons unrelated to driving behavior, such as unpaid fines or
registration fees."
Unlicensed teens surveyed in the NYDS were much less likely to have
attended a driver's ed class than licensed teens and were about four times
more likely to report that "no one" taught them to drive compared to
licensed teen drivers.
Further research is needed to better understand and address the
obstacles teens face in obtaining a license. The study's authors note that
while a license itself doesn't enhance safety, the licensure process may be
protective if it helps teens and their families adhere to graduated driver
licensing (GDL) laws and follow a systematic approach to learning to drive.
Future research and outreach directed at teens from central city and rural
areas may help to reduce the high rate of crash injury and fatality
associated with unlicensed teens.
About the Young Driver Research Initiative
Motor vehicle crashes remain the No. 1 cause of death among teens in
the United States. Teen drivers (ages 16 to 19) die at four times the rate
of adult drivers (ages 25 to 69). To reduce injury and death from young
driver-related crashes through scientific research and outreach, The
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Companies(R)
have formed an alliance called the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI).
This academic-industry alliance also created Partners for Child Passenger
Safety, the world's largest study of children in crashes.
About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the
nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to
providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric
health care professionals and pioneering major research initiatives,
Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited
children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in
the country, ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding. In
addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have
brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children
and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.
About State Farm Insurance Companies(R)
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the
U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in
Canada. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 78
million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and
Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual
Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of
companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of
largest companies. For more information, please visit
http://www.statefarm.com(R) or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca(R).
For questions directed to Dr. Elliott please contact Laura Bailey, U-M
School of Public Health Contact: baileylm@umich.edu
CONTACT:
Dana Mortensen
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
(267) 426-6092
mortensen@email.chop.edu
Vicki Harper
State Farm Insurance Companies
(309) 766-9743
vicki.harper.hycc@statefarm.com
SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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