By a wide margin, the major public health problem for teenagers in the United States is injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents. Starting at age 13, motor vehicle passenger death rates per capita climb sharply compared to passengers of other ages. Since deaths per licensed driver peak at the age of 18, insurance analysts have recommended raising the age of licensure to 18, allowing only essential (i.e., to and from work) driving by 16- and 17-year-olds, eliminating high school driver education courses, and prohibiting teenagers from driving during certain evening and early morning hours. Because teenagers have been found to be the least likely individuals to wear seat belts, it has also been recommended that the issuance of drivers licenses to teens be made conditional upon seat belt use and that the minimum drinking age be raised to 21. Finally, implementation of long-available crash-packaging techniques and clean-up and removal of highway and roadside hazards are measures that would markedly reduce traffic-related deaths of persons of all ages. (MN)