These are the startling statistics that we here at FFADD are trying to change. Education and awareness is the key to changing behavior, so look over the statistics — let them wash over your mind and heart; then jump over to the “Join Us” section as you get off the proverbial fence and join us in our fight to save lives.

• Teen driver crashes are the leading cause of death for our nation’s youth. The overwhelming majority of these crashes are caused by inexperience or distractions, not “thrill-seeking” or deliberate risk-taking.
• In the National Young Driver Survey, 20 percent of 11th grade drivers reported at least one crash over the past year, including 5 percent who experienced two or more crashes.
• In 2009, 3,242 teens ages 15-19 lost their lives in crashes.
• Crashes are more common among young drivers than any other age group. In the United States, 1 in 4 crash fatalities involve someone 16 to 24 years old, nearly twice as high as other age groups.
• The fatality rate for drivers ages 16 to 19, based on miles driven, is three times higher than for drivers ages 20 to 69.
• The crash fatality rate (crash fatalities/100,000 population) is highest for 16- to 17-year-olds within the first six months after licensure — and remains high through age 24.
• 60% of teenage passenger deaths in 2009 occurred in vehicles driven by other teens.
• Child passengers (under age 16) driven by teenagers (ages 16 to 19) have three times the risk of injury in a crash than children driven by adults. Overall, 9 percent of child fatalities occur with a driver under age 19. (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety)
• Older child passengers, ages 12 to 17, are more likely to die in a car crash than younger children. This risk increases with each teenage year. The top three predictors for fatality are non-use of restraints, teen drivers and roads with speed limits of 45 mph or higher. (Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine)