First of all, what kills young people. This sad statistic holds for all ages up to 44 years. This is a statistic that can be reduced only by continued attention to safety-conscious behavior, continued improvement in industrial, recreational, and transportational equipment and environments, and education of the individual concerning his or her specific areas of risk. A good example of specific area of risk is the automobile. Most states allow adolescents to obtain a beginners license at age 15 years and a drivers license at 16.
Adolescents have the ability to be among the best of drivers.
What they don't have is learned automatic responses to common situations, experience, and judgment learned from years of driving. In addition, adolescent boys often display certain traits which are conducive to increased risk such as aggressive driving, reckless driving and a need to prove themselves. Here are the figures for car related deaths from the United States Government Centers for Disease Control for 1989-1991. The slightly increased rate among drivers over 65 years of age represents a decrease in physical abilities such as hearing, vision and reflex speed and an increased susceptibility to death from less serious accidents. Knowing the peak time of car fatal car accidents, the ages involved and other factors have allowed insurance companies to make recommendations which should reduce the likelihood of teenage driving fatalities.