[Atlas Sneezed]

some observations:

1. The "% of fatalities" number understates the real risk, which is better reflected by the fatality per mile rate (because teens drive fewer miles). That risk is well-put here at about 4x.

2. Some if this can be inherently chalked up to inexperience. You have to learn sometime, and inexperience will temporarily increase the risk.

3. Elderly (80+) drivers are just as prone to traffic fatalities (though their fatality rate numbers are somewhat inflated because of their medical fragility.)

[CaliGirl-R]

I received an email 2 days ago with some absolutely gruesome pictures taken at the scene of a teen's fatal accident caused by speeding. These are pictures that shouldn't have gotten out to the public. The parents are trying to get them offline and trying to find out who released them, they are that bad. I am still haunted.

When I searched this girl's name, I came across many messageboards where people were debating showing these particular pictures to their own teenage drivers to show them what can happen.

I showed them to my daughter, a new driver.

[AmericanChef]

I don't go more than 10 mph when I'm in the school zone dropping off my daughter. She won't ride with her friends, either - their driving scares the crap out of her! She has one driver friend in a wheelchair right now. Uh-huh. Car accident.