Cost of alcohol-related traffic crashes among drivers under 21 years of age by state

Motor vehicle crashes, particularly alcohol-related crashes, are an enduring threat to the health of adolescents. In 2000-2004, unintentional injuries were the leading cause of death for youth age 16-20, averaging 7900 deaths annually. Motor vehicle traffic injuries account for the lion's share of these injuries, about 6000 deaths annually. In 2004, drivers aged 20 years or less were involved in an estimated 1900 alcohol-related fatal crashes. Based on a national estimate of impaired driving crash costs and Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) state-by-state estimates of the proportion of fatal impaired driving crashes by age group, we estimated the cost of alcohol involved traffic crashes with an adolescent driver by state. In year 2005 dollars, crashes of drinking drivers under age 21 cost society $14.9 billion dollars. The costs include $0.9 billion in medical cost, in $8.4 billion in quality of life cost, and $5.6 billion in work loss and other monetary costs. Regression models using Youth Risk Behavior Survey measures of adolescent drinking patterns by state show that self-reported drinking patterns predict state alcohol-related traffic crash costs. Crashes with impaired adolescent drivers impose societal costs of about $700 per licensed adolescent driver. A broad array of prevention efforts can significantly offset these societal costs. For example, zero tolerance laws cost $30 per licensed youth driver and yield a net savings of $700 per licensed youth. The threat illustrated by these crashes and the promise of prevention efforts demonstrate the need to reduce impaired driving crashes among adolescents.