Twisted Guardrails on the Highway: Fatality map

Tuesday

Fatality map

Here is a rough copy of a map I'm developing to track monthly fatalities caused by teen drivers. This is preliminary data collected from August 22, 2009 to September 21, 2009. I am still playing with the program that develops the maps, and it's kind of messy at this point, so if anyone knows of a better mapping program, please let me know.

Each flag on this map came from a major news story in a local area. Each town marked on this map has grieving parents, friends, and teachers who may justify what happened as an "accident." But there are those of us who study these things who know the vast majority of these accidents were preventable. Figuring out how to prevent them is the key.

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Why we're doing this

This site may seem a little shocking and gory, and for any family members who found this site by accident, I am sorry for your loss and hope this site does not add any pain to your grieving.

With this site, I am attempting to chronicle teen driving fatalities for one school year to demonstrate to parents and teens the risks associated with driving. I believe teen driving fatalities can be prevented, and that we can change the way people look at this issue much like we changed the way society looked at smoking: It's gone from an acceptable behavior to one that is largely shunned.

I don't mean we should stop teens from driving -- no one can get better at something if they can't practice. But if teens are aware of the behaviors that lead to fatalities, they may begin policing themselves. Telling their friends who are texting or speeding to stop it or slow down. Or calling home and asking mom or dad to come pick them up instead of taking that planned ride home, because they're feeling unsafe.

Driving is the number one cause of death for people aged 16 to 20. In 2008, 4,497 16- to 20-year-olds died in car accidents, accounting for 12% of all auto fatalities.

I hope this site gets people to think, and to talk. Please feel free to post comments, or send along pictures or links to online memorials. I will try to keep the site as PG rated as I can, given the nature of the topic.