Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group.1 Fortunately, teen motor vehicle crashes are preventable, and proven strategies can improve the safety of young drivers on the road.
How big is the problem?
Young people ages 15-24 represent only 14% of the U.S. population. However, they account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females.3
Who is most at risk?
Among teen drivers, those at especially high risk for motor vehicle crashes are:
What factors put teen drivers at risk?
* Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations.6
* Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and allow shorter headways (the distance from the front of one vehicle to the front of the next).
* Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 37% were speeding at the time of the crash and 26% had been drinking.8,9
* Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2005, 10% of high school students reported they rarely or never wear seat belts when riding with someone else.10
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