18 Eye-Opening Facts and Statistics About Teen Driving

Road Rage Statistics for Teens

1. 40% of Teenagers Say They Feel Angry Data shows that road rage can be particularly dangerous for young drivers. One in five teens struggles to control their anger. Teenagers often have less experience managing intense emotions compared to adults, and this lack of control can influence their behavior behind the wheel.

2. Nearly 50% of Young Drivers Confess to Driving While Using Marijuana According to 2020 research, 48.8% of young drivers admit to having driven after using marijuana. This behavior has increased, with 17% more teenage drivers using marijuana while driving than in 2014. Many young drivers believe that driving under the influence of marijuana is less risky than driving under the influence of alcohol.

3. Boys Are More Likely to Drive After Drinking Than Girls Statistics show that 27% of male teen drivers have been involved in fatal crashes involving drinking and driving, compared to 15% of female drivers. This indicates that boys are more likely to engage in risky behavior while driving.

Teen Driver Deaths in Accidents

4. Teenagers Have a Nearly Triple Crash Fatality Rate Teenagers are three times more likely to be involved in fatal auto accidents than adults aged 20 and above. The most vulnerable age range is between 16 and 17.

5. Male Drivers Have a Double Risk of Dying in Car Accidents Male drivers aged 16 to 19 have double the risk of dying in a vehicle accident compared to their female counterparts. They are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as speeding, not using seat belts, and driving under the influence.

6. When a Teen Was Operating the Vehicle, 13% of Passengers Died In 2019, 13% of passenger fatalities involved drivers under the age of 18. Two out of every three teenagers who died in wrecks that year were male.

7. Teenagers Made up Around 7% of All Traffic Fatalities in 2019 In 2019, 78% of teen collision deaths involved passengers in motor vehicles, 9% were pedestrians, 7% were motorcyclists, and 2% were cyclists or all-terrain vehicle users. In total, 5,213 individuals died in incidents caused by young drivers aged 15 to 20.

8. In 2019, Males Made Up Two in Every Three Teenagers Killed in Auto Accidents Male teens are more likely to die in auto accidents, indicating that they may drive less cautiously. Despite this, teen collision fatalities have decreased by 73% since 1975, with a 64% decrease in female teen deaths and a 76% decrease in male teen deaths.

9. In 2019, 2,375 Teens Died in Vehicle Accidents The 2019 data shows that 1,995 teens aged 16 to 19 died in vehicle incidents in the US, with 682 of these deaths involving teens under 19.

Cell Phones and Driving

10. Increased Number of Teens Texting While Driving In 2019, 39% of high school students who drove admitted to texting while driving. Older students were more likely to text while driving, and other risky behaviors included not using seat belts and driving with drunk drivers.

11. Eleven Teens Die Each Day Due to Texting and Driving This amounts to nearly 4,000 teenage deaths annually caused by texting and driving. About 32.8% of teens admit to texting or emailing while driving, demonstrating a lack of awareness of the potential risks.

12. Increase in Using Phones While Driving More than 56% of teenage drivers report using their phones while driving. Over half of these teens admit to being unable to break their phone addiction while operating a vehicle.

13. Teen Accidents and Distractions Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that distraction is a significant factor in almost six out of ten moderate-to-severe teen crashes. This indicates that distraction is a more serious issue than previously thought.

14. Most Accidents Occur During the First Few Months After Receiving a License Crash rates for 16-year-olds are about 1.5 times higher per mile driven than for 18–19-year-olds, making the first few months after obtaining a license the most dangerous.

Positive Facts About Teenage Driving

15. 66% of Teens Listen to Their Parent’s Advice Among young drivers, 66% are interested in their parents’ perspectives on using a phone while driving. Parents should explain the risks and provide tools like phone holders to reduce distractions.

16. Teen Drivers Whose Parents Are Active Are More Likely to Use Seatbelts Research shows that 56% of teen drivers learn to drive from their parents. Active parental involvement in driving instruction increases the likelihood that teens will use seatbelts and practice safe driving habits.

17. Teenage Fatalities from Drunk Driving Have Dropped by 81% Since 1982 The National Traffic Safety Administration reports a significant decline in underage drinking and driving fatalities, from 5,215 incidents in 1982 to much lower numbers today.

18. There Has Been a Decrease in Teen Driving When Drunk Since 1991, the percentage of teenagers who drive after drinking has dropped by 54%. However, underage drinking remains a concern, with many adolescents trying alcohol as young as 14.

Ultimate Thoughts

Teenage drivers face various risks, not just due to lack of experience. Contributing factors include intoxicated and distracted driving and reduced seatbelt use. Parents should take the time to explain the consequences of these behaviors to their teens. Our pre-licensing course can equip young drivers with the necessary skills for safe driving.

By understanding these statistics and facts, we can better prepare our teens for the responsibilities of driving and help reduce the risks they face on the road.