Segment 2 Teen Driving Safety & Risks

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key statistics, risks, and safety concepts related to teen driving, distractions, road rage, and alcohol/drug impairment.

200 Observations per Mile

Average number of visual observations a driver makes for every mile driven.

40 Decisions per Mile

Average number of driving decisions made in one mile of travel.

One Mistake per Mile

Typical frequency with which a driver makes a driving error while covering a single mile.

Near-Collision Frequency

One mistake in every 500 miles leads to a near-collision.

Primary Cause of Teen Crashes

Driver errors due to inexperience, not speeding or deliberate recklessness.

Largest Teen Driver Error

Improper visual search (failure to look in the right places or long enough).

Hazard Recognition Failure

Crash factor arising from undeveloped search patterns or mental distraction despite looking ahead.

Older Vehicles in Fatal Teen Crashes

50% of teen-driven vehicles in fatal crashes are at least 10 years old.

Country Road Fatalities

Rural roads are the sites of most fatal crashes involving teens.

Daytime Dry-Road Crashes

Majority of fatal teen crashes happen in daylight on dry pavement.

2 PM–5 PM Danger Window

Time period when most fatal crashes involving teens occur.

First 6 Months Risk Peak

Lifetime-high crash risk exists during the first half-year of licensure.

Drinking in Fatal Teen Crashes

Alcohol is involved in 8% of deadly crashes with teen drivers.

Serious Crash Odds Before 17

One in eleven teens will have a serious crash prior to turning 17.

Passenger Fatalities with Novice Drivers

Nearly 50% of people killed in novice-driver fatal crashes are the passengers.

Brain Development Factor

Incomplete brain maturation until about age 25 raises teen driving risk.

Distraction Crash Contribution

Distraction within 3 seconds causes 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes.

40% Brainpower Loss

Listening to someone talk (passenger or radio) reduces driving-related brain activity by 40%.

Cell Phone vs. .08 BAC

Talking on a phone impairs driving similarly to being legally drunk at .08 BAC.

Texting Crash Likelihood

Texting makes a driver 23 times more likely to crash; phone calls make it 4 times more likely.

Peer Passenger Distraction

Other young passengers are the distraction most likely to trigger a teen crash.

Passenger Count Risk at Age 16

Crash fatality risk rises 48% with one passenger, 86% with two, and 182% with three or more.

Pre-Drive Distraction Plan

Best moment to eliminate or manage potential distractions is before starting the vehicle.

Rubbernecking

Driver distraction caused by looking at a crash scene or roadside event.

Aggressive Driving

Bold, selfish, pushy driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and ignoring signals.

Tolerance & Forgiveness

Mindset that helps drivers avoid engaging in road rage.

Best Road Rage Response

Do not react; avoid eye contact and allow the aggressive driver space.

First Skill Lost to Alcohol

Judgment is the earliest driving ability impaired by alcohol.

Alcohol-Impaired Fatality Frequency

A fatal crash involving alcohol occurs every 48 minutes nationally.

Drug Combination Effect

Taking two or more drugs simultaneously multiplies the effect of each substance.