%0 Journal Article
%T Commentary: teenage driver fatal crash rate trends: what do they reveal?
%A Williams AF
%J Traffic Inj Prev
%V 15
%N 7
%D 2014
%M 24380585
%F 2.183
%R 10.1080/15389588.2013.878802
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To determine long-term fatal crash rate trends of teenage drivers in the United States, before and after the introduction of graduated driver licensing programs.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Teenage driver fatal crash involvement rates were calculated for 1990-2011 and referenced to rates for 25- to 59-year-olds.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The results indicated reductions in teen crash rates coincident with the economic downturn in 2008-2009 and reductions at ages 16 and 17 reflecting the introduction graduated driver licensing (GDL) but no effects positive or negative at ages 18 and 19.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The high crash rates at 18 and 19 relative to other ages call for attention, including extending GDL to ages older than 17.