Teen drivers are twice as likely as adult drivers to be in a fatal crash. 

NHTSA research tells us that immaturity and inexperience are primary factors contributing to these deadly crashes. Both lead to high-risk behavior behind the wheel: driving at nighttime, driving after drinking any amount of alcohol, and driving distracted by passengers and electronic devices.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to brings awareness to Teen Driver Safety on National Teen Driver Safety Week: October 18-24. 

2,320 

The number of people killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2024. 

51%

Teen passenger vehicle drivers who died in 2024 were not wearing a seatbelt. 

 

Follow these 'Rules of the Road' provided by the NHTSA:

• Always Buckle Up - The car doesn’t move until everyone is buckled up — front seat and back, on every trip, every time. More than half of the passengers killed in cars driven by teen drivers in 2024 weren’t buckled up.
• No drinking and no drugs - Emphasize the fact that it’s illegal to drink before you’re 21 — and that driving drunk or high is unacceptable at any age. In 2024, 22% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.
• No distractions - Driving is the first and only task when behind the wheel. That means no phones or texting while driving, and not doing anything else — like eating, drinking, or fixing hair and makeup — when you should fully focus on driving. About 10% of all teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in recent years were distracted at the time of the crash. Teens should activate the “do not disturb” feature on their phones to eliminate the distractions notifications cause.
• No speeding - In 2024, speeding was a factor in 33% of the passenger vehicle teen drivers involved in fatal crashes. Faster speeds rob inexperienced teen drivers of the extra reaction time they may need to avoid a crash. Emphasize that they must obey posted speed limits.
• Limit extra passengers - Teen drivers are at a greater risk for a crash when they have others in their car. Passengers can serve as a distraction for inexperienced teen drivers, and that's why many states’ graduated driver licensing (GDL) restrictions prohibit any passengers in vehicles with teen drivers. GDL laws also set other limits on teen drivers for safety.
• Drowsy Driving - We all know how important sleep is, especially for your teens during the school year when studying can cause long nights. Remind your teen the importance of a good night's sleep, and the dangers of drowsy driving.

Another new law expands the ban on using cellphones beyond just texting. 

This law includes holding or manually using a phone or other mobile device for voice calls or any other reason, requiring all drivers to use a hands-free device. This will hopefully reduce the number of distracted driving accidents that occur. 

Parents, you’re role models. When a teen driver sees you obeying the rules of the road, they get the message. If you’re breaking the rules, they may adopt those behaviors when they’re on the road. Check yourself: assess how you’re driving (whether you’re following the rules of the road) and think about what your driving communicates to your teen driver.