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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >> In the United States, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash, according to the CDC.
The same is true around the world, according to the editorial. "Most of the victims will be young men and boys. Men aged less than 25 years are nearly three times as likely as women of that age to be killed in a road-traffic accident."
This month has been no exception. In Induruwa, Sri Lanka, a truck and bus collision killed 23 people. During the first two days of the Thai New Year holiday, 98 Thais died in traffic accidents, and more than 1,300 were injured.
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In addition to death and injury, traffic accidents in low-income and middle-income countries cost $65 billion to $100 billion annually. These costs include loss of income and the burden placed on families to care for their injured relative, the editorial noted.
Young male cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians in poorer countries are more at risk of death in traffic accidents, as the roads in these countries are not designed to allow people, bikes and cars to share space. In addition, protective or bright clothing is rarely worn in such countries, the editorial pointed out.
The young are also at risk from driving drunk, driving too fast and inexperience. Some deliberately take risks due to peer pressure. Better road planning, more cyclists wearing helmets, and tougher police enforcement against drinking and driving are among the measures that would reduce death and injury, the editorial noted.
"But the individual solution lies with what is perhaps one of the hardest things to change -- human behavior. Road accidents disproportionately affect young people. Being taught about road safety from a very young age must become a priority, with adults setting a good example at all times," the editorial concluded.
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