The CDC reports in the latest MMWR bulletin that road traffic accident fatalities declined for both males and females in the 15-19 and 20-24 year age groups during the period 1999 to 2011.
Fatality rates declined by 49% for males aged 15–19 years, 52% for females aged 15–19 years, 29% for males aged 20–24 years, and 30% for females aged 20–24 years. Males aged 20-24 years had the overall highest rate of road traffic accident fatalities, followed by males aged 15-19 years. Rates for females were less than 20 deaths per 100,000 population, with those aged 15-19 years initially at higher risk than females aged 20-24 years. The mortality rate declined in both female age groups however, and the two groups converged by 2011 to approximately 12 deaths per 100,000 population.
