In 2010, nearly 33,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. This was the lowest number since 1949, when there were far fewer drivers and cars on American roads.

Despite advances made in automobile safety and regulations, such as air bags and safety belt laws, motor vehicle deaths remain the leading cause of death for people ages 8 to 34 years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries—including motor vehicle and traffic accidents—are the leading cause of death for those 15 to 44. CDC provides information about and for teen drivers and their parents, including at-risk groups and ways to encourage safer teen drivers, as well as overall facts and information about motor vehicle safety.

All drivers face risks, but the factor that contributes most to crashes and deaths for newly licensed and younger drivers appears to be inexperience. Newly licensed drivers, primarily teenagers, have the highest crash rates, but even drivers well into their twenties have higher crash rates than older drivers.

Risk factors for motor vehicle crashes that are particularly elevated among teenage drivers include:

• Inexperience
• Teenage passengers
• Distraction while driving, including from using cell phones and texting
• Driving at excessive speeds, close following, and other risky driving
• Drinking and driving. While drinking and driving is not very common among novices, it causes a disproportionate number of fatal crashes. In the later teen years and young adulthood, drinking and driving increases greatly.
• Driving at night
• Being male. Teenage boys, especially ones with male passengers, are involved in more car crashes than teenage girls. However, the number of females involved in car crashes is increasing.
• Social norms. Risky driving among teenage drivers is higher among teens who report that their friends drive in a risky manner.

Often, several of these risk factors are present: In particular, teens who text while driving are more likely to have other risky driving behaviors as well, compared with those who don’t text while driving. These additional risk factors include drinking and driving and not using a seat belt. In addition, young drivers who own their cars may take more risks. They are more likely to speed, especially at night, and have two or more teen passengers with them.

A positive factor for teen drivers is the presence of an adult passenger. One study showed that teen crash rates were 75% lower when an adult was in the car.

Laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia establish graduated licensing requirements for new drivers. Specific requirements vary from state to state, but each licensing program has three stages:

• Learner stage. In most states, drivers in this stage must always be supervised by an adult. At the end of the learner stage, the driver must pass a test to move to the next stage.
• Intermediate stage. Laws during this stage establish a minimum age requirement and place restrictions on nighttime driving and the number of passengers.
• Full privilege stage. Laws mandate a minimum age, usually 18, for unrestricted driving.

The number of car crashes decreased in states with stronger licensing programs, particularly those with more restrictions.

The most effective legislation has at least five of the following seven elements:

• A minimum age of 16 for the learner's permit
• A restriction requiring a young driver to have a learner's permit for at least six months before he or she could apply for a provisional license
• A requirement for 50 to 100 hours of supervised driving
• A minimum age of 17 for an intermediate stage license
• Restrictions on driving at night
• A limit on the number of teenage passengers allowed in the car
• A minimum age of 18 for a full-privilege license

Parents play an important role in the success of graduated licensing. They can determine when teens may test for a learner's permit or a license. They may also supervise practice driving for the provisional driver. In addition, they can help enforce certain conditions, such as no driving at night. Research shows that in families where parents impose stricter limits, teens are less likely to exhibit risky driving behavior.

NICHD researchers developed the national Checkpoints Program —a driver education program that encourages parents to supervise their newly licensed teens and to model good driving behavior. One important feature of the Checkpoints Program is a written agreement signed by both parents and teens. In this agreement, parents and teens commit to the conditions under which the new driver will develop good driving judgment. These include not driving in conditions that place drivers at increased risk for car crashes. Learning to drive is a process of developing good judgment behind the wheel; the first 6 months after new drivers receive their licenses are considered the most dangerous.

With a driving agreement, the parent and teen establish a “checkpoint” in 1 month. At that point, they will assess the new driver’s comfort level with driving on local roads in different situations. In the first checkpoint, these include situations in daylight, when roads are dry, and with no other passenger in the car. After each additional checkpoint, the parent agrees to remove restrictions as long as the teen demonstrates good driving judgment. In addition, the parent commits to providing

Inattention is a leading cause of crashes. Anything that takes a driver's attention from the road, including dialing, texting, and adjusting cell phones and other electronic devices, increases the risk of car crashes. In addition, tasks that require thought reduce the driver's ability to identify and react to potential road hazards. Currently, 31 states ban all cell phone use by novice drivers. Only 10 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands ban the use of handheld cell phones by drivers of all ages. In all but two of these states, the use of the phone alone is sufficient for a police officer to stop a driver. Texting while driving is now banned in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam.

In addition to laws regulating the use of cell phones and other electronic devices, general improvements in the driving environment can reduce crash rates. These include:

• "Rumble strips" (strips of ridged pavement that cause rumbling when driven over) on both the centerline and shoulders of the road
• Wide and visible edge lines
• Easily visible road signs
• Better lighting at night

More than half of fatal crashes involve risky driving, with speeding being the most common factor. Strategies to combat these problems fall into four categories:

• Laws. Speed limit laws are effective when they are enforced. Laws that target aggressive or risky driving are not considered effective and are not used frequently.
• Enforcement. Automated enforcement, such as speed cameras, can effectively reduce speeding and crash prevalence. Other types of enforcement, even high-visibility police enforcement, are only moderately effective.
• Penalties and adjudication. These strategies work only moderately well at best.
• Communications and outreach. Public information campaigns on enforcement are effective, but the costs can be high.

Seat belts protect drivers as well as passengers from injury and death. When worn by some in the front seat, a safety belt reduces fatal injuries by more than one-half. In vehicles with both safety belts and air bags, both safety features are more effective when used together. Thanks to these and other safety features, passenger vehicles are safer now than they've ever been, and injuries from serious crashes are less severe now than they used to be.

The use of safety belts is at an all-time high; however, teenage drivers are less likely to use them than adult drivers.

As of September 2013, 33 states and the District of Columbia allow officers to stop a driver solely for violation of a safety belt use law. In 16 states, officials can cite violators only when they are stopped for some other traffic violation. One statehas no requirement for safety belt use.

In addition to enforcing safety belt laws, the Click It or Ticket campaign spreads awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts and is effective in increasing safety belt use. Safety belt use is highest in states that allow officers to stop a driver solely for violating safety belt laws and that publicize their enforcement of these laws.

Drinking and driving has declined greatly in the past decade. In combination with the approaches below, social norms about the acceptability of drinking and driving have changed due to public information campaigns. However, drinking and driving and drinking and riding remain high among teenagers. The following three approaches can help prevent people from drinking and driving:

• Sobriety checkpoints. These checkpoints give police officers the chance to judge whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol and test the blood alcohol level of an individual if he or she shows signs of intoxication. Expanded use of such checkpoints could save 1,500 to 3,000 lives each year.
• Minimum legal drinking age laws. These laws dramatically lowered the rate of teens driving while intoxicated. Keeping the legal drinking age at 21 and enforcing it helps prevent young, inexperienced drivers from drinking and driving.
• Driving-prevention devices. Devices called "ignition interlocks" can be installed in cars to prevent them from starting when the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds the limit. These devices are used to prevent drivers convicted of alcohol-impaired driving from drinking and driving. Studies show they reduce re-arrest rates for drinking and driving by about two-thirds.

Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Almost 2,400 teens aged 13–19 lost their lives in car crashes in 2019. That’s about seven teens a day.

Parents can make a big difference in keeping teen drivers safe. Use a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement to put rules in place that will help your teen stay safe on the road.

Facts About Teen Driver Crashes, Injuries, and Fatalities

• Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for U.S. teens.
• Almost 2,400 teens aged 13–19 lost their lives in car crashes in 2019. That’s an average of seven teens a day.
• Teen drivers aged 16–19 are nearly three times as likely as drivers aged 20 or older to be in a fatal crash, per mile driven.
• Driver inexperience is a leading contributor to crashes and injuries for teen drivers.
• Crash risk is highest during the first months that teen drivers have their license.
• For all ages, fatal crashes are more likely to occur at night, but the risk is higher for teens.

Eight Danger Zones for Teen Drivers

Make sure that you and your teen driver are aware of the leading causes of teen crashes and injuries.

1. Driver inexperience
2. Driving with teen passengers
3. Nighttime driving
4. Not using seat belts
5. Distracted driving
6. Drowsy driving
7. Reckless driving
8. Impaired driving

In 2019, over 40% of U.S. high school students did not always wear a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens, and using seat belts is an effective way to reduce deaths and injuries in crashes. Buckle up: every person, every trip, every seating position!

Parents: How You Can Help Keep Teens Safe on the Road

Motor vehicle crashes are preventable, and parents can make a big difference in keeping teen drivers safe. Your guidance—and helpful, calm advice—can stay with your teen long after he or she takes the car out alone.

Take these steps to help keep your teen safe on the road:

• Ride along with your teen for at least 30–50 hours. Teens lack driving experience; therefore, the more they practice, the better.
• Watch closely and make suggestions on how your teen can improve.
• Practice with your teen at different times of day, in different kinds of weather, and in heavy and light traffic.
• Restrict your teen’s nighttime driving, and make sure your teen is off the road by 9 or 10 pm for at least the first six months he or she has a license.
• Limit your teen to zero or one young passenger for at least the first six months he or she has a license.
• Discuss your rules of the road with your teen. Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that puts these rules in writing to set clear expectations and limits. Don’t forget to update the agreement as your teen’s experience increases.
• Require your teen to wear a seat belt on every trip. It is the simplest way to prevent car crash injuries and deaths.
• Be a good role model for your teen and always buckle up!

In addition, consider safety features first and foremost when choosing a car for your teen. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) publishes a list of affordable vehicles that meet important safety criteria for teens. IIHS also recently released a research paper explaining the benefits of newer vehicle technologies for teen drivers – such as crash avoidance features and teen-driver-specific technologies. They also examined the potential of these technologies to dramatically reduce teen crashes and associated injuries and deaths.

Teens: Here are the Top 4 Things To Keep in Mind Before You Get Behind the Wheel

• Buckle your seat belt. Seat belts are proven to reduce the risk of death and serious injuries when crashes occur by about half.
• Do not drink any alcohol or use any drugs before getting behind the wheel. These activities are dangerous for any driver but are particularly dangerous for young, inexperienced drivers.
• Put all distractions aside. Make sure your cell phone is off and away. If you need to make a phone call, pull off to a safe location on the side of the road. Even hands-free technology mentally distracts you from driving, and your full attention is needed to drive safely. If you need to use your phone for navigation directions, set it up before you get on the road and pull over to a safe location on the side of the road if you need to make changes. Don’t text or use social media while driving!
• Take the time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle, especially if it is a vehicle you have never driven before. Know where important vehicle features are located, such as the turn signals, windshield wipers, and hazard lights. Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel if necessary. Know the vehicle’s safety features and how to operate it safely. Determine if your vehicle has any advanced safety technologies or driver assistance technologies such as a backup camera or lane departure warnings.