FACTS: TEENS & DRIVING

Motor vehicle accidents remain the number 1 direct cause of death among teenagers.

In 2015, 2333 teenagers, ages 16-19 were killed in car accidents.*
221,313 were treated in emergency departments.*

At highest risk:*

  • Males, who are twice as likely to die in motor vehicle accidents.
  • Teens driving with teen passengers. The risk of a fatal accident is dramatically increased by the addition of other teenagers as passengers in the vehicle.
  • Newly licensed teens. Crash risk is particularly high during the first months of licensure. 16-17 year old drivers have 3 times the crash risk as 18-19 year olds.

NEXT: WHAT PUTS TEENAGERS AT RISK?

 

 

 

 

*Sources: Centers for Disease Control; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.