“ Crash science ” addresses the leadIng Cause of death of teens In the unIted states

S ixty-seven deaths per week, nine per day, one every two hours: Motor-vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States, and although fatalities have declined in recent years, almost 3,500 teenagers still die every year in motor vehicle crashes (NHTSA 2011). In fact, 35% of all deaths among 16to 19-year-olds are related to motor vehicles (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control 2006). This article outlines our attempt to use research from the emerging field of crash science to teach truly life-saving lessons.