CALGARY- With the May long weekend approaching, the Alberta government has released new numbers which confirm young drivers are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal collision than any other age group.
Between 2008 and 2013, more than 200 drivers aged 14 to 24 were killed in road and highway crashes.
More than 13,000 were injured.
“It does get frustrating when you see the crashes and the people who are injured and family members who die,” says Corporal Darrin Turnbull of Airdrie RCMP. “It’s very frustrating when you knock on the door of a house to let family members know they’ve lost a loved one.”
RCMP blame the high fatality and injury rates for young drivers on inattention, texting and speeding.
Another factor is alcohol. Male drivers aged 18 to 21 involved in crashes are more likely to have been drinking before getting behind the wheel.
Collisions are the leading cause of injury and death among young Albertans. Over one-third of young drivers killed in crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
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