In 2000, 35% of all deaths of people ages 15 to 20 in the United States were caused by motor vehicle crashes; alcohol was involved in 30% of these crashes, and 69% of the occupant fatalities did not use a seat belt.
In 2000, 8,155 young people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Thirty percent of the drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking.
Youth ages 16-24 account for almost 25% of all traffic fatalities.
The greatest number of motor vehicle fatalities involving young drivers occurs during the months of July and August.
Almost twice as many young people die in weekend crashes as on weekdays.
Approximately three times as many die in alcohol-related crashes on weekends than on weekdays.
Drivers from ages 21-24 recorded the most alcohol-related fatalities in 2000.
In 1999, more 18-year-olds died in traffic crashes than any other single age. More 21-year olds died in alcohol-related crashes than any other age. (2000 numbers are not yet available).
In 1999, more 18-year-olds died in lower BAC (between .01 and .09) alcohol-related crashes than any other age. (2000 numbers are not yet available.)
The laws establishing a 21-year-old minimum drinking age have saved an estimated 20,043 lives since 1975. In 2000 alone, these laws saved an estimated 922 lives.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have zero tolerance laws for drivers under the age of 21.
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