Unintentional Injuries & Violence

Behaviors That Contribute to Unintentional Injury

Students reported that they engaged in these behaviors during the 30 days before they took the survey:

• Not using a seat belt. Nearly 6 percent of students had either never or rarely worn a seat belt while in a car that someone else was driving.
• Riding with someone who’s been drinking. Nearly 17 percent of students had taken a ride with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
• Drinking and driving. Among students who drive, 5.5 percent of students had driven a car or other vehicle after they’d been drinking alcohol.
• Marijuana use and driving. Among students who drive, 13 percent drove a car or other vehicle one or more times after using marijuana.
• Texting and driving. Among students who drive, 39 percent had texted or emailed while driving a car or other vehicle.
• Alcohol use. Almost 30 percent of students drank alcohol at least once in the past 30 days.
• Marijuana use. Almost 20 percent of students used marijuana at least once a day in the past 30 days.

Behaviors That Contribute to Violence

Students reported that they engaged in or experienced these behaviors during 12 months before they took the survey:

• Carrying a weapon. Nearly 16 percent students had carried a weapon, such as a gun, knife or club. Almost 4 percent of students had carried a weapon on school property, and 6 percent were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property.
• Fighting. Almost 24 percent of students had been in a physical fight one or more times in the past 12 months.
• Cyberbullying. Almost 15 percent of students had been electronically bullied through texting, Instagram, Facebook or other social media in the past 12 months.

Results from these behaviors include:

• Anxiety. More than 6 percent of students didn’t go to school at least one day because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to and from school.
• Dating violence. Among students who dated, 7 percent reported experiencing dating violence and 7.4 percent reported being physically forced to have sexual intercourse during the previous year.
• Suicide. During the 12 months before taking the survey, 7.4 percent of students had attempted suicide. If you or a friend is considering self-harm, please call or text a hotline today.

Last reviewed: December 2019