Teens can be reckless. It's a part of growing up. But the toll is startling.
Statistics show one teen dies as a result of injury every hour of every day in the United States, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And, it's no surprise that driving and alcohol play a big part in the problem. Alcohol is involved in about 35 percent of adolescent driver fatalities, the agency says.
Another leading cause of teen injuries and deaths is firearms. One of every four deaths of youngsters aged 15 to 19 is caused by a gun. "The risk of dying from a firearm injury has increased by 77 percent since 1985" for that age group, the CDC says.
