Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. A combination of inexperience and the natural impulsiveness of the adolescent years contribute to this increased risk of being involved in a crash.
The Center for the Study of Young Drivers (CSYD) was established within the UNC Highway Safety Research Center in 2005 to study and improve the safety of young drivers. The Center’s focus is on developing a fundamental understanding of the multitude of factors that contribute to the high crash rate among young drivers. This understanding is critical for the development of effective policies and programs to reduce travel-related deaths and injuries among teens.