CLEVELAND — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released a map showing crashes involving young drivers, revealing Cuyahoga County is among several of the 88 counties with the highest number of crashes.
From 2018 to 2019, more than 30% of all crashes involved young drivers. During that same period, there were 186,055 traffic crashes involving at least one driver between the ages of 15 and 24.
“Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is a huge responsibility,” said Governor Mike DeWine in a statement. “To prevent senseless tragedies and save lives, young drivers should always keep their attention on the road and be constantly aware of their surroundings.”
Data shows at-fault youth driver crashes resulted in 382 deaths and 52,597 injuries. Thirty-five percent of those crashes statewide resulted in a young driver following too closely.
“It’s important to get them to understand that making a poor decision behind the wheel can end up having results that they’re stuck with for the rest of their lives,” said Sgt. Ray Santiago of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
OSHP said failure to yield, running a red light, or not stopping at a stop sign were the leading causes of at-fault youthful crashes 18% of the time.
Speeding and driving left of the center also contributed to fatal crashes.
Male teenage drivers were 54% more likely than their female counterparts to be at-fault in crashes. Males were at-fault 68% of the time in fatal crashes.
“Poor decisions while driving can stay with young drivers for the rest of their lives,” said Lieutenant Leo Shirkey, Canton Post commander in a release. “That is why responsibility, awareness and safety are so important for our youngest drivers.”
Find the full map of all 88 counties and how many crashes involved young drivers. Click here.
