AAA report: teen drivers are crash risk in summer

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- A report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that while teen car crash rates are down overall, teen crash fatalities climb significantly during the summer months. The report also found nearly two-thirds of people injured or killed in a crash involving a teen driver are people other than the teenager behind the wheel.

The study analyzed data from police-reported crashes of drivers aged 15-19 from 1994 - 2013 and found that 66 percent of people killed and 67 percent of people injured in crashes involving a teen driver are people other than the teen themselves.

The study also found nearly 50 percent of those injured were in another vehicle, 17 percent were in the teen's car and 2 percent were non-motorists such as pedestrians and bicyclists; and nearly 30 percent of fatalities were in another car, 27 percent of fatalities were in the teen's car and 10 percent were non-motorists.

"Teen crash rates are higher than any other age group, and this data confirms the impact of their crashes extend well beyond the teen who is behind the wheel," said Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "Since teens drive more during the summer than any other season, this insight is a timely reminder to everyone to be mindful when sharing the roads with young drivers."

AAA says in the last 20 years crashes from teen drivers have decreased by 51 percent for non-fatal crashes and 56 for fatal crashes. In comparison, non-fatal and fatal crashes with drivers of any age, including teen drivers, fell by 25 percent and 17 percent respectively.