Statistics tell a consistent story

 June 24, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ — Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, despite overall traffic fatalities plummeting to their lowest levels since the birth of the Interstate Highway System. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the death rate reached the lowest level ever recorded in 2009.

Despite the dramatic decrease, nine teens died every day last year from motor vehicle accidents, and 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms. Though there are only 13 million teen drivers, they accounted for nearly $25 billion in motor vehicle injury costs last year alone. One in three teen drivers killed had been drinking alcohol prior to their motor vehicle accident; 40 percent of all fatal alcohol-related traffic accidents involved teens who were driving under the influence.

Alcohol continues to plague American teen culture. Though drinking rates among teens have steadily dropped since the early 1980s, about two-fifths of students today have consumed alcohol by the 8th grade — three-quarters by the time they leave high school. Drunk driving fatalities among teen drivers have decreased more than 70 percent since the drinking age was changed from 18 to 21. However, the costs of underage drinking are skyrocketing.

In 2007, underage drinking cost New Jersey $1.6 billion, or roughly $2,000 per teen. More than 16,000 violent crimes such as homicide, rape and assault, and more than 35,000 property crimes, were committed by teenagers under the influence of alcohol in New Jersey last year alone. Nearly 20 percent of all the alcohol sold was consumed by underage drinkers.

With 63 percent of all teenagers caught driving under the influence admitting to acquiring alcohol from their home or that of a friend, parents have additional reason for concern. The emotional aftermath of dealing with a child involved in a teen drunk driving accident or arrest is incredibly difficult. Financial obligations and legal liability only add to the trauma. If your child has been arrested for driving under the influence, or you are the victim of an accident caused by a teenage drunk driver, an attorney with experience in accident litigation can explain your legal options.