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Youth

Teen Crash Victims' Families Share Heart-Wrenching Stories

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Utah Department of Health has published a booklet titled "Thirteen Stories We'd Rather Not Tell," which shares heart-wrenching stories about teen crash victims and their families. The booklet aims to promote safe teen driving by highlighting 13 deceased teenagers and the tragic incidents that led to their deaths. Each story represents a dream and future that will never be realized due to a preventable incident. The state reports that while the majority of the 24 teens killed in 2008 were drivers or passengers in a car, there were also auto-pedestrian deaths, motorcycle deaths, ATV deaths, and scooter-related deaths.

Key Takeaways:

  • 29 Utah families learned in 2008 that their teenager had been killed in a motor vehicle crash, according to state records.
  • The Utah Department of Health's Violence and Injury Prevention Program used the booklet to promote safe teen driving.
  • Diane Baker, from West Haven, shared her son Daniel's story in the previous year's booklet to make a positive message out of her tragedy.
  • Speed was a factor in 45 percent of the teen deaths in 2008, and only 24 percent of the teens killed were wearing their seat belts properly.
  • The 48 percent of crashes that occurred between 4 p.m. and midnight highlight the importance of safe driving habits during peak hours.
  • The booklet includes 13 stories of Utah teenagers who died in motor vehicle crashes, all of which carry a plea or warning from the people who loved them.

Statistics:

  • 29 Utah families learned in 2008 that their teenager had been killed in a motor vehicle crash.
  • 24 teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008, with 48 percent of the crashes occurring between 4 p.m. and midnight.
  • 45 percent of the teen deaths in 2008 were due to speed-related collisions.
  • Only 24 percent of the teens killed were wearing their seat belts properly.
  • The booklet includes 13 stories of Utah teenagers who died in motor vehicle crashes.

Sources:

  • "Thirteen Stories We'd Rather Not Tell," Utah Department of Health, no date specified.
  • "Teen crash victims remembered," Standard-Examiner, December 29, 2009.
  • "DUI stats show 24 teens died in crashes," Standard-Examiner, January 1, 2009.
  • "State reports show 18 dies in crashes," Standard-Examiner, November 30, 2008.

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