71 Teenagers were killed in traffic crashes in 2005 in Tennessee .

• 67 were either drivers or occupants of a vehicle.

32 were drivers, and 35 were passengers.

• 3 were pedestrians.
• 1 was a bicyclist.

Many fatalities involved only one vehicle.

• 25 drivers (78.2%) and 22 of the passengers (62.8%) were in single-vehicle crashes where the vehicle ran off the roadway and either overturned or struck a fixed object.
• 2 passengers (5.7%) fell from the vehicle.
• 38.8% of the drivers and passengers were in an SUV or pick-up truck.

Many fatalities might have been prevented if victims had worn safety belts.

• 18 drivers (53.6%) were unrestrained.
• 27 passengers (77.1%) were unrestrained.

Fatality Statistics by Age:

• 33 or 49.3% were age 17
• 18 or 26.9% were age 16
• 8 or 11.9% were age 15
• 4 or 5.9% were age 14
• 4 or 5.9% were age 13

Fatalities By County:

Counties with 5 Teen Fatalities in 2005:

Davidson, Knox

Counties with 4 Teen Fatalities in 2005:

Gibson, Lawrence

Counties with 3 Teen Fatalities in 2005:

Greene, McMinn, Shelby

Counties with 2 Teen Fatalities in 2005:

Bradley, Hamilton, Hawkins, Madison, Monroe, Rutherford, Sevier, Sumner, Tipton, Williamson

Counties with 1 Teen Fatality in 2005:

Anderson, Benton, Carroll, Claiborne, Coffee, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Franklin, Giles, Hamblen, Henry, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Maury, Morgan, Obion, Perry, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington, Weakley, Wilson

For more information on Hayden Maples, visit www.HaydensLaw.com.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.