Worksheet2: Gathering Evidence of the Problem

Date: September 20, 1999 Group Members: John Smith, Jane Doe, and Joe Shmoe


Your problem (phrase): Teenage drunk driving in the United States.


Present evidence that a problem exists. Be as specific as possible and cite at least one source of data:


16,694 alcohol-related deaths in 2004 ("2004 Drunk Driving Statistics http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics-2004.html)

When driver fatality rates are calculated on the basis of estimated annual travel, the highest rates are found among the youngest and oldest drivers. Compared with the fatality rate for drivers 25 through 69 years old, the rate for teenage drivers (16 to 19 years old) is about 4 times as high, and the rate for drivers in the oldest group is 9 times as high.("Young Drivers Traffic Safety Facts 1997," NHTSA)

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds (based on 1994 figures, which are the latest mortality data currently available from the National Center for Health Statistics). In 1997, 3,336 drivers 15 to 20 years old were killed, and an additional 365,000 were injured, in motor vehicle crashes. ("Young Drivers Traffic Safety Facts 1997," NHTSA)

In 1997, 21 percent of the young drivers 15 to 20 years old who were killed in crashes were intoxicated. ("Young Drivers Traffic Safety Facts 1997," NHTSA)

Young drivers (those below age 21) are over-represented in alcohol-related crashes. Crash risk among youth begins to increase at very low blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). Crash data indicate that young drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes are likely to have lower BACs than are older drivers. At similar BAC levels, young drivers are at higher risk of being involved in crashes than are older adults. In addition, impaired drivers tend to use seat belts at half the rate of non-impaired drivers, significantly increasing their risk of severe crash-related injury. Research also indicates that youth who drink and drive tend to be riskier drivers in general. ("Young Adults Educating Responsible Drinking http://www.yaerd.org/under21.htm)


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