Teen Driving Safety
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. A combination of inexperience and risk-taking behaviors makes young drivers especially vulnerable on the road. By understanding risk and protective factors, parents and teens can take proactive steps to ensure safer driving habits.
Key Statistics
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In 2023 there were 2,148 young drivers who died in traffic crashes and another 180,209 who were injured
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Over 5,500 people died in traffic crashes involving young drivers in 2023.
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Of the young drivers killed in traffic crashes, 54% were not wearing a seat belt.
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Young male drivers are nearly 3 times more likely to be involved in fatal traffic crashes than young female drivers.
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In 2023, 26 percent of young drivers killed in traffic crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher.
Risk Factors
Several factors contribute to the elevated crash risk for teen drivers:
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Driver Inexperience: New drivers lack the necessary skills for hazard detection and judgment, making them prone to errors, with the highest crash risk occurring in the first year of licensure.
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Driving with Teen Passengers: Having teen passengers increases crash risk for unsupervised teen drivers, with the risk of a fatal crash more than tripling with two or more teen passengers.
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Nighttime Driving: Reduced visibility and fatigue make nighttime driving particularly dangerous for teens.
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Distracted Driving: Activities like using a phone or adjusting the radio are major causes of crashes in this age group.
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Speeding: Teens are more likely to speed and follow too closely, with speeding being a factor in 34% of fatal teen driver crashes in 2023.
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Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug use impairs judgment and reaction time.
Ways to Lower Risk
Parents play a vital role in helping teens become safe drivers through clear rules, supervised practice, and setting a good example.
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Use NC’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Law: Understand and enforce NC’s GDL law, which restricts high-risk driving conditions for new drivers.
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Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement: Use a written agreement to establish driving rules and consequences. Parent/Teen Driving Agreement
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Maximize Supervised Practice: Ensure your teen gets plenty of supervised driving practice in various conditions.
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Mandate 100% Seat Belt Use: Require seat belt use for everyone in the vehicle on every trip, as it significantly reduces the risk of fatality in a crash.
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Eliminate Distractions: Prohibit cell phone use while driving and encourage the use of "do not disturb" features.
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Prevent Impaired Driving: Emphasize that driving under the influence is unacceptable and ensure your teen can call you for a safe ride if needed.
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Be a Role Model: Drive safely yourself, following traffic laws and avoiding distractions, as teens learn from their parents' behavior.
Education
We are available to present Impact Teen Drivers: What Do You Consider Lethal?, a 1-hour presentation on teen driving safety for high school classrooms. Additionally, we are available to present Under Your Influence, a 45-minute interactive presentation for parents. Parents are the number one influencer of their teens’ attitudes and behaviors. Parent’s choices can and do influence their teen’s safety behind the wheel. Impact Teen Drivers’ programs are interactive, and they share real stories that connect with teens, empowering them with evidence-based strategies to keep themselves and others safe. These programs never use scare tactics. Instead, the programs are designed to connect on an emotional level which has proven to be more effective.
Community Event
We are available to table at community events.
Resources
