Teen Driving Safety
Teen Driving Safety
Teen Driving Safety

Definition: Teenagers contribute to, and suffer from, the consequences of motor vehicle collisions at a disproportionate rate. Teen driver crashes more often involve
- driver error
- lack of safety belt use
- excessive speed
- single vehicle crashes
- nighttime fatal crashes
- increased risk with every additional passenger
- alcohol (in the later teen years).
Magnitude of the Problem: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for youth ages 15-20. According to NHTSA, in 2009,
- 2,336 15-to 20-year old drivers were killed and an additional 196,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
- Drivers ages 15-20 are 6.4 % of all licensed drivers in the U.S. but are involved in 11% of all fatal crashes.
Prevention: Strategies to improve teen driving safety include:
- graduated drivers licensing systems that have a night driving restriction, passenger restrictions, and supervised driving for beginning drivers for at least six months
- safety belt laws
- drinking and driving laws
CSN Publications
- Costs of Leading Childhood Injuries Fact Sheet Nov 2017
- Evidence-Based Strategies and Readings in Five Injury Topics Jul 2017
- Injury Prevention: What Works? A Summary of Cost-outcome Analysis for Injury Prevention Programs (2014) Nov 2014
- Resource Fact Sheet on Rural Injury Prevention: Teen Apr 2011
- Promoting Teen Driving Safety: Strategies and Tools for Community Programs Mar 2009
- Childhood Injury: Cost and Prevention Facts - Sobriety Checkpoints Injury Cost Prevention Mar 2009
- Childhood Injury: Cost and Prevention Facts - Current Speed Limits Cost Prevention Mar 2009
- Increasing Seat Belt Use among Teens: A Summary of Research, Resources, and Programs Sep 2008
CSN Resource Guide
CSN Infographics
CSN Webinars
CSN Blogs
Injury Prevention Links
- AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
- Countdown2Drive from Safe Kids Worldwide
- Distracted Driving | NHTSA
- Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute
- Keys2Drive
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- Motor Vehicle Prioritizing Interventions and Cost Calculator for States (MV PICCS) | CDC
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Parent Central: A NHTSA Website
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)
- Teen Drivers - CDC
- Under Your Influence: Teen crash prevention for parents
- Young driver licensing systems in the U.S. by state - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Youth for Road Safety (YOURS)
- Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) | CDC
Useful Publications
- Preventing Teen Motor Crashes: Contributions from the Behavioral and Social Sciences: Workshop Report | National Academies Jan 2017
- Reducing the Risk for Teen Drivers | Safe Kids Jan 2017
- Graduated Driver Licensing System Planning Guide | CDC Jan 2017
- Graduated Driver Licensing Night Driving Restrictions and Fatal Night Crashes — 40 States, 2009–2014 | CDC Jan 2017
- Speeding-Related Fatal Crashes Among Teen Drivers and Opportunities for Reducing the Risks | GHSA Jun 2013
- Distracted and Risk-Prone Drivers: Select Findings from the 2012 Traffic Safety Culture Index | AAA Foundation Jan 2013
- Teen Driver Risk in Relation to Age and Number of Passengers | AAA Foundation May 2012
- A Fresh Look at the State of Driver Education in America | NHTSA Apr 2012
- Distracted Driving among Newly Licensed Teen Drivers | AAA Foundation Mar 2012
- Traffic Safety Facts Traffic Tech Oct 2011