Teen Drivers: Get the Facts

How big is the problem?

In 2018, nearly 2,500 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Additionally, approximately 285,000 teens were treated in emergency rooms for crash-related injuries. This translates to an average of seven teen fatalities every day, with hundreds more suffering injuries. The combined costs of fatal and nonfatal crashes involving teens in this age group, including medical expenses and lost productivity, amounted to roughly $11.8 billion that year.

As of now, comprehensive statistics for teen motor vehicle fatalities and injuries in the United States for the year 2024 are not yet available. However, preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates a general decline in traffic fatalities. In the first half of 2024, there was an estimated 3.2% decrease in traffic deaths compared to the same period in 2023, with a fatality rate of 1.17 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.21 in 2023.

While this overall reduction is encouraging, specific data concerning teen drivers is essential to understand trends within this age group. For context, in 2022, 2,883 teenagers aged 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes, marking a 7% decrease from 2021.

It's important to note that motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death among teenagers. Daily statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that eight teenagers lose their lives in vehicular crashes each day.

Once detailed 2024 data becomes available, it will provide a clearer picture of the impact of motor vehicle crashes on teenagers and help inform targeted interventions to enhance road safety for this vulnerable age group.

Who is most at risk?

Teen drivers aged 16–19 face the highest risk of motor vehicle crashes compared to any other age group. Per mile driven, teens in this age range are nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers aged 20 or older.

Certain factors further elevate this risk:

• Male Teen Drivers
  In 2018, male drivers aged 16–19 had nearly double the motor vehicle death rate compared to their female peers.
• Teens Driving with Teen Passengers
  The presence of teen passengers significantly increases the crash risk for unsupervised teen drivers. This risk rises with each additional teen passenger.
• Newly Licensed Drivers
  Crash risk is especially high during the first few months after obtaining a license. According to data from the 2016–2017 National Household Travel Survey, 16-year-olds had a crash rate per mile driven that was about 1.5 times higher than that of 18- and 19-year-olds.

Risk Factors

Inexperience:
Teen drivers are less skilled at identifying and responding to dangerous situations compared to older drivers. They are also more prone to making critical errors in judgment that can result in severe crashes.

Nighttime and Weekend Driving:
A significant portion of fatal teen crashes occurs during high-risk times. In 2018, 37% of crash deaths involving teens aged 13–19 happened between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., while 52% occurred on weekends (Friday through Sunday).

Seat Belt Use:
Teens and young adults consistently have some of the lowest seat belt usage rates. According to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey, between 2016 and 2018, only 87% of teens and young adults (ages 16–24) regularly wore seat belts, compared to 90% or more for adults aged 25 and older. In 2019, 43% of U.S. high school students admitted they didn’t always wear a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else. Tragically, nearly half of teens aged 16–19 who died in crashes in 2018 were unrestrained at the time.

Distracted Driving:
Distractions are dangerous for all drivers but pose an even greater threat to teens due to their inexperience. In the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 39% of high school students who drove reported texting or emailing while behind the wheel at least once in the prior 30 days.

Speeding:
Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and maintain insufficient following distances. In 2018, 30% of male and 18% of female drivers aged 15–20 involved in fatal crashes were speeding, the highest rates for any age group.

Alcohol Use:
Teen drivers are at an increased risk of crashes even with small amounts of alcohol in their system. At any blood alcohol concentration (BAC), their likelihood of crashing is higher than that of older drivers. In 2019, 5.4% of high school students admitted to driving after drinking alcohol, with the behavior being more common among older students, males, Hispanic teens, and those with lower academic performance.

Despite laws prohibiting underage drinking, in 2018, 15% of drivers aged 16–20 involved in fatal crashes had a BAC of 0.08% or higher, which is illegal for adults in all states. Additionally, over half of teen drivers who died in alcohol-related crashes in 2017 were not wearing seat belts.

Driving with Teen Passengers:
The presence of other teens in the car increases the risk of crashes for young drivers, with the risk escalating as the number of passengers grows.

By addressing these factors through education, enforcement, and effective safety measures, the risks faced by teen drivers can be reduced, helping to save lives and prevent injuries.

Prevention

Parents play a vital role in helping teens navigate the road safely. Understanding the top causes of teen crashes and injuries can make a significant difference:

1. Inexperience: Lack of familiarity with driving can lead to poor judgment and mistakes.
2. Driving with Teen Passengers: The presence of peers increases crash risk.
3. Nighttime Driving: Driving after dark significantly raises the chance of accidents.
4. Not Using Seat Belts: Failure to buckle up remains a leading cause of fatalities.
5. Distracted Driving: Activities like texting or talking on the phone take focus off the road.
6. Drowsy Driving: Fatigue impairs reaction times and decision-making.
7. Reckless Driving: Speeding and risky maneuvers are common among teens.
8. Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drugs greatly increase crash risk.

Parents can take proactive steps to address these risks and help teens develop safer driving habits.

The Importance of Seat Belts

Seat belts are life-saving. In 2018, nearly 47% of teens involved in fatal vehicle crashes were not wearing a seat belt. Research shows seat belts reduce the risk of severe injuries and fatalities by about 50%.

Primary vs. Secondary Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws

• Primary Enforcement: Officers can issue tickets solely for not wearing a seat belt.
• Secondary Enforcement: Tickets for seat belt violations can only be issued if the driver is stopped for another offense.

Seat belt usage rates are consistently higher in states with primary enforcement laws. For up-to-date information on your state’s seat belt laws, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website.

The CDC also provides state-specific fact sheets and tools like the Motor Vehicle Prioritizing Interventions and Cost Calculator for States (MV PICCS), which estimates lives saved and costs reduced through stronger seat belt laws.

Preventing Drinking and Driving

Enforcing minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) and zero-tolerance laws is essential for keeping young drivers safe. These measures have been shown to reduce alcohol-related crashes among drivers under 21.

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Systems

Driving is a complex skill that requires practice and supervision. Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) systems help teens build experience gradually, reducing high-risk situations such as nighttime driving or driving with peers.

Benefits of GDL Systems

• Reductions in Fatal Crashes: Comprehensive GDL systems have been linked to a 26–41% decrease in fatal crashes among 16-year-old drivers.
• Fewer Overall Crashes: GDL laws reduce overall crashes by 16–22%.

How Parents Can Help

Parents should familiarize themselves with their state’s GDL laws and ensure their teens follow them. More comprehensive GDL systems are key to safer roads.

For more information on GDL systems in your state, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website. The CDC also offers resources like the GDL Planning Guide and state-specific recommendations to strengthen GDL practices and reduce crash deaths.

By combining education, enforcement, and proven strategies, parents and communities can work together to keep teen drivers safe.