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