Youth are still over represented in fatal crashes compared to the older population.
The rate of involvement is greater for youth for both alcohol and non alcohol related crashes based on total population, on the licensed driver population and miles driven. After an eleven year decrease in the youth population from 1982, this population has been increasing since 1993. Based on these trends, the numbers will go up unless we intervene. In the states in Region 8, numerous programs and activities have been implemented to address the over-representation of young drivers in crashes. Colorado, South Dakota and Utah have adopted elements of the model Graduated Licensing Law to allow young drivers to acquire safe driving practices and attitudes as they progress through a three-stage process of licensure.