Fatal crashes involving young unlicensed drivers in the U.S.
BACKGROUND
Young unlicensed drivers' involvement in fatal crashes is a recurrent problem in the United States.


METHODS
This descriptive study extracted cross-sectional data on fatal crashes from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 1998 to 2002. Young unlicensed driver fatal crashes are examined by age, gender, and region.


RESULTS
There were 2,452 young unlicensed driver fatal crashes representing 10.8% of all young drivers' fatal crashes. By age, 72.5% are over 15 years, males are involved in 74.5%, and southern and western states have a higher percent of young unlicensed driver fatal crashes.


CONCLUSIONS
Subgroups of young people based on their age, gender, and region are over-represented in fatal crashes as unlicensed drivers. Further studies are needed to investigate the context and factors of young unlicensed drivers, essential to tailor interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
Young unlicensed drivers circumvent the established licensing process and pose a serious threat to themselves and other road users.
Hanna
Christian L
CL
Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. channa@mphi.org
Taylor
Dexter M
DM
Sheppard
Monique A
MA
Laflamme
Lucie
L
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology