Teen Drivers
Although teen drivers, between the ages of 16 and 19, constitute almost 7% of all licensed drivers, they are involved in 15% of fatal motor vehicle-related crashes. Motor-vehicle-related crashes are the leading cause of death among 16- to 20-year-olds. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a 16-year-old driver is more than 20 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash than any other licensed driver.
Why are teenage drivers at higher risk?
There are two main reasons why teenage drivers are at increased risk for motor vehicle-related crashes that result in injury or death, including the following:
- Lack of Driving Experience
- Less experience behind the wheel means the teenage driver is less able to detect and respond to traffic hazards, less in control of his/her vehicle, and less able to integrate speed.
- Risky Behavior of Teenagers
- Teens tend to take more risks as they are influenced by their emotions, stress, and peer pressure. In addition, experimenting with alcohol and recreational drugs can impair a teenager's driving ability. Also, fewer teenage drivers tend to use their seat belts, increasing their risk of serious injury in a crash. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, less than 1/4 of high school students say they “always” wear their seat belts when another person is driving.
- Nighttime Driving
- Nighttime driving is more difficult for anyone, especially the novice driver. However, teenagers tend to do disproportionately more driving at night, increasing their risk of a fatal motor vehicle crash, as compared to daytime driving.
Tips for Safer Teenage Driving
The American Academy of Pediatrics has made the following recommendations to ensure safer teenage driving:
- Pediatricians should emphasize the importance of safe driving to both parents and teenagers, including the fact that teenagers need to develop driving skills with supervised practice.
- Set a good driving example as an adult.
- Establish limits on your teenager's driving privileges, such as a limited number of passengers and/or restricted nighttime driving.
- Impose penalties for irresponsible driving behavior.
- Supervise teenage drivers in vehicles.
- Make sure the vehicle is mechanically secure.
- Get involved in community advocacy, such as helping coordinate alcohol-free events, to help support parent-peer initiatives and help teenagers avoid negative peer pressure.
- Support legislative advocacy that targets a reduction in motor vehicle crashes among teenage drivers, such as graduated licensing systems, stricter minimum driving age laws, and tougher safety belt laws.
Sources: National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)
Additional Resources
- National Safety Council
- www.nsc.org
- Safe Kids USA
- www.usa.safekids.org
- U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- www.cpsc.gov
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- www.aap.org
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- www.nhtsa.dot.gov
- SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.
- www.carseat.org
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/restrain2.html
- Injury Free Coalition for Kids
- www.injuryfree.org
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