Marion County drivers reach deadly record.

119 people died on Marion County roads in 2003, a 22% increase over the largest death toll recorded in Marion County history.  54 of the people killed were not wearing seatbelts and 42 of those killed were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

For more Florida Statistics click  HERE

For more National Statistics click HERE

The information  below came from the Florida SADD website and we thank them for their permission to use it.  Visit their site for even more startling facts on young drivers.

Traffic Safety Awareness

Car crashes are the number one cause of death amongst teens. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated in their January 2002 Youth Fatal Crash and Alcohol Facts report that youth alcohol-related fatalities dramatically decreased over the past decade as a direct result of the efforts of organizations like SADD. Let your school and community know how vital SADD is to saving lives. In addition to contacting your School Resource Officer (SRO) for local police and sheriff support, use the information listed below for your awareness campaigns.

Crash/Safety Facts

2001 FL Crash Stats for Drivers between the ages of 15-20

• There were 14.3 million licensed drivers in Florida in 2001.
• Drivers between the ages of 15-20 accounted for 6.7% (956,833).
• 540 drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in fatal crashes.
• 209 drivers between the ages of 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.
• 54,024 drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in motor vehicle crashes.
• 21,835 drivers between the ages of 15-20 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds.

Male vs. Female Drivers between the ages of 15-20

• 375 male drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in fatal crashes.
• 165 female drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in fatal crashes.
• 157 male drivers between the ages of 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.
• 52 female drivers between the ages of 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes.
• Overall, 15-20 year old male drivers have more than 3 times the rate of motor vehicle crashes as female drivers of the same age group.

Old vs. Young Drivers

• The fatal crash rate for 15-24 year old drivers is more than 3 times the rate for 25-54 year old drivers.
• The fatal crash rate for 15-24 year old drivers is 4.5 times greater than the 55-64 year old drivers.
• The fatal crash rate for 15-24 year old drivers is 4.7 times greater than the 65-74 year old drivers.

Zero Tolerance Law

• Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02% or more will have their license suspended immediately for six months.
• This administrative action is for a first offense; a second offense will result in a year suspension.
• Refusal to submit to testing (first offense) results in a suspension of twelve months; eighteen months on a second offense.

Buckle Up

• Every hour, someone dies in America simply because they didn’t buckle up.
• Failure to buckle up contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior.
• Back seat passenger who do not wear seat belts are three times as likely to die or have serious injuries as passengers who wear a rear seat belt.

Seat Belt Laws

• Passengers up to the age of 18 must be belted when in either the front or tear seat of a vehicle.
• All front seat occupants must buckle up, even if the vehicle is equipped with an air bag.
• The driver is held responsible for passengers under 18 years of age who are not buckled up.
• Passengers 18 years of age or older may be individually fined if they are not buckled up.

All information on this page is from the 2002 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the FL Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.