Agency, Adolescence, and Motor Vehicle Crash Risk

Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) remain a leading cause of death and disability for adolescents worldwide. Population-level crash data indicate that age and experience interact to influence crash involvement; crash rates peak at licensure and are highest initially for the youngest drivers. The most noticeable reductions occur during the initial 6-9 months of licensure. Based on these patterns, research on young drivers has focused in two areas: developmental factors salient to adolescence and practical inexperience. Here, Mirman examines the adolescents' street racing behavior.