Teen Drivers By the Numbers

The realities of teen driving can be alarming. They make up approximately 3.7% of all drivers in the United States. That percentage translates to 8.3 million teen drivers on the road. Moreover, those between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to get into a fatal accident than drivers in their 20s.

Inexperience is only one challenge teen drivers face on the road. Others include distracted driving, speeding, driving at night and driving during weekends. Distracted driving laws and several programs, such as the NHTSA’s Click It or Ticket campaign, have been enacted to prevent accidents.

Over 8.3 million drivers in the United States are between 16 and 19. They make up approximately 3.7% of all drivers in the country.

In 2019, 260,400 drivers aged 15 to 19 were involved in motor vehicle accidents. While 2,400 people died, emergency rooms treated 258,000 for injuries they sustained.

Around 12% of all fatal accidents in 2019 involved a teen driver. Inexperience, distracted driving and drunk driving contributed significantly to these incidents.

The number of fatalities in crashes involving teen drivers has decreased steadily since the 1980s. From a high of 10,984 in 1982, total deaths dropped to 4,391 in 2019.

Sources:

Federal Highway Administration, National Safety Council, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Frequency of Teen Car Accidents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that teen drivers are more likely to get into motor vehicle accidents than any other age group. Drivers aged 20 or older are three times less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those between 16 to 19. Young drivers are more likely to engage in dangerous driving behavior, such as speeding, and less likely to use their seat belts while behind the wheel.

Fortunately, several improvements have been made over the years. An example would be driving technology. The NHTSA says that newer cars are safer, primarily due to their safety features. States have also implemented graduated licensing programs, which have reduced accidents, injuries and fatalities.

Increased safety efforts have influenced a decline in fatal crashes involving teen drivers over nearly four decades.

The Trend in Teen Auto Fatalities

MoneyGeek explored the disparity of motor vehicle accidents when comparing male and female teen drivers. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s data shows fatal crashes involving males were twice as many as those involving females.

Crash Deaths by Sex, 2019

Male
Ages 13-19
1,577 crashes

Female
Ages 13-19
797 crashes

Conclusion: About 2 of every 3 teenagers killed in collisions in 2019 were males.

Teen Driver Accidents & Fatalities By State

The U.S. map above details how many of the fatal crashes in each state involved teen drivers. For most areas, young drivers make up 10% to 15% of accidents resulting in death.

However, it’s crucial to note that we observed a higher ratio in four states. Montana, Alaska, Nebraska and South Dakota's percentages exceeded 15%.

Key Takeaways

Texas, California and Florida had the highest occurrences of fatal crashes involving teen drivers in 2019. Each state had 480, 386 and 380, respectively.

Four U.S. locations had less than 10 fatal crashes in 2019. These were Washington DC, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The median for fatal accidents involving teen drivers across all states in 2019 was 61.

A teenager distracted by the many new distractions.

Risk Factors Affecting Teen Drivers

Several factors contribute to the high number of motor vehicle accidents among teens. These include inexperience, driving in challenging environments and engaging in dangerous driving behaviors.

Risk Factor	Description
Inexperience in Driving	Teen drivers are less likely to recognize risky situations while driving, which may lead to errors in judgment. They may also be unfamiliar with some signs and road rules.
Distracted Driving	Teen drivers are the most comfortable with technology and may try navigating the road while using their phone. The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019 found that 39% of high school students text, email, post or view social media at least once while driving.
Alcohol/Substance Abuse	Impaired driving among teens is typically associated with marijuana use and alcohol intake. Teen drivers are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol. According to the CDC, their driving skills are more affected than those of an older driver with the same blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. They already experience difficulty multitasking even with a BAC of 0.02, which is below the legal limit.
Night Driving	Driving at night automatically increases the risk of getting into an accident, but teens are more susceptible to it than adults. Studies show that teens are three times more likely to crash when driving at night. On average, 40% of teen driving fatalities in 2019 occurred between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The level of risk increases further during weekends when teenagers are more likely to drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
No Seat Belts	Among the different age groups, teen drivers and passengers are less likely to buckle up while driving. In 2019, according to the CDC, 43.1% of teens surveyed said they did not use seat belts as passengers. Teens can experience severe injuries when seat belt laws are not followed. In 2019, teen driving fatalities showed that almost half weren't using seat belts when an accident occurred.
Driving at High Speeds	Speeding contributed significantly to teen fatalities in 2019. Driving over the speed limit makes it difficult to stop, and decreases the effectiveness of safety features in cars, such as seat belts and airbags. A collision at high speed also increases the impact, leading to more severe injuries or, worse, death.

EXPERT TIP: MITIGATE COSTS OF TEEN CAR ACCIDENTS

Description: Due to the multiple risk factors associated with teen driving, insurance companies calculate higher premiums. Make sure you and your teen have good auto insurance policy that can protect you and help you with expenses, in the event of an accident.

Teen Driver FAQs

Many teen drivers are on the road today. These teen driver statistics are only the beginning of the story. There are several risk factors to consider, and many ways to educate teens on safe driving. MoneyGeek gathered the most commonly asked questions below.

How many teens currently drive in the United States?

Drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 make up approximately 3.7% of the driving population in the U.S. That translates to over 8.3 million teen drivers.

How many teen drivers get into accidents every year?

In 2019 alone, 258,000 teens were in emergency rooms, receiving treatment for injuries from motor vehicle accidents. All of them were between 13 and 19 years old.

What are the risk factors that lead to accidents among teen drivers?

Multiple factors contribute to the high number of car accidents involving teen drivers. These include being inexperienced behind the wheel, driving at night, speeding, being distracted and drunk driving.

What’s the percentage of traffic fatalities involving young drivers?

Around 12% of all fatal crashes involved teen drivers. This figure covers all accidents resulting in death in all states in 2019.

What states have the most teen driver accidents?

Most recorded fatal accidents in 2019 happened in Florida, California and Texas. There were 380 incidents or more recorded in all three states.

What improvements have helped reduce motor vehicle accidents?

Car features such as blind-spot detection, driver assistance and drowsy driving warnings help keep the roads safe. Teen drivers also get their driving privileges slowly, moving their way up from a learner’s permit to an intermediate license. Eventually, they receive unrestricted driving privileges.

Several road designs have also made an impact on road safety. These include shorter blocks, speeding humps and raised crossings.

Related Content

Several concepts are closely associated with teen driving, such as auto insurance for young drivers, the perils of distracted driving and getting a driver’s license. You can explore the subject further by using the additional resources MoneyGeek has provided.

Resource Guide to Help Teen Drivers Obtain a License and Stay Safe on the Road: Know the steps involved to get your driver’s license and about states’ Graduated Driver License program. It also details the most common risks teenagers face on the road.
Most Americans Drive While Distracted But Few Admit It, New Survey Shows: Read about the realities of distracted driving. While most drivers say they remain focused on the road at all times, our survey results tell a different story.
The High Toll of Distracted Driving and Staying Safe on the Road: Young drivers are more likely to engage in distracted driving. Read about the top ten distractions teens encounter while behind the wheel.
Getting the Most Value From Driver’s Education: Although not all states require first-time drivers to complete a Driver's Education course, completing one is always encouraged. Explore its benefits, which include gaining knowledge, developing driving confidence and avoiding accidents.
A Guide to Safe Night Driving: Most drivers find that driving at night is more challenging — and it’s more true for teenagers. Read about the most common challenges during nighttime driving and techniques on how to remain safe on the road.
2021’s Most Dangerous Days for DUIs: Driving under the influence of alcohol or a substance is one of the factors contributing to teen driving fatalities. This page explores how DUIs increase during specific seasons.
The Real Costs of a DUI and How to Avoid Them: Teens driving while intoxicated or under the influence may find that its consequences are extensive and long-lasting. Even if you don’t get into an accident, having a DUI will impact your life and your finances.
Car Insurance for Teens & Young Drivers: Cheapest and Best Companies in 2022: Having a car insurance policy is required in most states and teen drivers should have coverage, given that they’re more likely to get involved in crashes. See which car insurance companies offer the best deals for you.
The Best Cheap Car Insurance and Average Costs for 16-year-olds: Car insurance premiums are often more expensive for teenagers. Read about strategies that can help you save and find which companies offer more affordable rates for 16-year-olds.
The Best Cheap Car Insurance and Average Costs for 18-Year-olds: Drivers at different stages in their lives have varying insurance needs. See traffic statistics specific to 18-year-old drivers, and determine where you can find the cheapest coverage.

About Nathan Paulus

Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.

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sources

National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. "Click It or Ticket." Accessed September 26, 2024.
National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. "Newer Cars are Safer Cars." Accessed September 26, 2024.
World Resource Institute. "6 Road Design Changes That Can Save Lives." Accessed September 26, 2024.

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