2023 Teen Driver Car Crash Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times as likely to be involved in a deadly crash versus drivers aged 20 or older.² Among all teen drivers, however, crashes are most frequent among 19-year-olds and boys, according to our analysis of CRSS data.

Young male drivers may be more at risk for crashes because they participate more frequently in aggressive driving compared to young female drivers. When teens drive with their peers, these chances are even higher: aggressive driving occurs three times as often when a girl is riding in the car with a male teen driver than when teen boys are driving alone.³ This risk is also slightly higher when there’s another boy in the car with a male driver. These figures show that teenage boys may tend to show off or attempt to look cool in front of their peers while driving, both of which can lead to an accident.

Both adult and teen men regularly pay more for car insurance than women. They tend to pose a higher risk for insurance companies than women because of their higher fatality rates, higher DUI rates, and greater likelihood of being stopped by police for traffic violations.

The CRSS data revealed that the most frequent time for teen driver accidents is between 2:00 and 6:00 pm. This is commonly the time that teenage drivers are leaving school, and it coincides with peak hours for commuters driving home from work.

When roadways are more congested during rush hours, there are more distractions and obstacles for young drivers to navigate. Here are a few simple ways to ensure a safer drive on the way to or from school and work:

• Before starting the engine, teens should check their vehicle’s tire pressure and adjust mirrors to provide maximum visibility.
• Young drivers should avoid all distractions. They should refrain from eating at the wheel, sending texts or making calls, and transporting rowdy passengers.
• Keeping a wide following distance from other vehicles can reduce the risk of rear-ending crashes. Young drivers should be patient and avoid tailgating especially when waiting in lines to leave school parking lots.
• Teen drivers should remember to take their time and plan a few extra minutes to their routes. It’s okay to slow down, allowing for more reaction time if an obstacle suddenly appears.

Distracted driving is a major problem for drivers of all ages, but today’s teen drivers have additional distractions vying for their attention that generations past did not have to face. In fact, the CRSS data showed that 35 percent of all teen driver crashes were front-to-rear (rear-ending) crashes,⁴ which are often caused by distractions or following too closely.

Whether they are stressed about school performance or dealing with issues at home, teenagers can have trouble focusing on what’s going on in front of them. When technology and friends are added into the mix, the distractions only become more severe.

A recent Autoinsurance.com study found that 45 percent of teens had texted while driving within the last week. Though texting while driving is common, it can greatly increase the likelihood of crashing. Drivers of all ages should remember that there’s nothing happening on social media or text that is as important as staying focused and staying alive.

Having passengers in the vehicle can also create distractions and crashes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Study found that the likelihood of crashes among 16- and 17-year-old drivers:

• Increased 44 percent when carrying a single passenger younger than 21.
• Doubled when carrying two passengers younger than 21 without an older adult present.
• Quadrupled when carrying three or more passengers under the age of 21, without an older adult present.
• Decreased 62 percent when a passenger aged 35 or older is in the vehicle.⁵

For each additional passenger under age 21 that rides with a young driver, the risk of an accident increases significantly. Does this mean that teenagers shouldn’t be allowed to have passengers? This is a question that only parents are able to answer, in accordance with the laws in their state.

Not only is it illegal for teens to drink alcohol, it also impairs all of the skills they need to drive safely. While adults aged 21 or older can drive after drinking if they are under the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit, it’s against the law for teens to have any amount of alcohol in their systems.

Though alcohol and drugs are not factors in most teen driver crashes, some drivers are likelier than others to drive under the influence. CRSS data revealed that male teenagers are about twice as likely to be involved in an alcohol- or drug-related crash than teen female drivers.

Though alcohol-related crashes were slightly more common than drug-related incidents among teen drivers, the number of drug-related crashes have increased in recent years as marijuana laws have relaxed in some parts of the country. Overall, nearly one in 10 people ages 16-20 has admitted to driving under the influence of marijuana,⁶ and between 2000 and 2018, the percentage of all car crash deaths involving marijuana more than doubled.⁷

While many people believe marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol, it can still have an effect on the bodily functions people need to drive safely, such as vision, alertness, and coordination. This is why it’s essential for parents and educators to advise teens on the risk of driving under the influence of any mind-altering substances.

According to the CDC, automobile crashes injure more than 250,000 teens each year and are the second leading cause of death for this age group. While we found that 74 percent of teens had no reported injuries after accidents, more than a quarter of teen crashes do lead to injuries, which is significant.

Of course, drivers’ skills are paramount to safety on the road, but vehicles must also be evaluated to keep passengers as safe as possible.

It’s vitally important for parents of teen drivers to equip them with the necessary tools to avoid accidents and injury. Whether they choose to enroll them in a defensive driving course or set up a secondary driving system to limit distractions, such as those provided in many newer cars, parents can help protect their kids on the road. Knowing the biggest pitfalls can help them devise a plan that protects their children on the road.

Our Data

We analyzed data from the Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) from the United States Department of Transportation (DoT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Our analysis focused on crashes that involved drivers aged 16-19, and included incidents that occurred between 2016-2020. This data set is representative of crashes that occur across the U.S., but it only includes those accidents that involved police. According to the NHTSA, the CRSS is a “sample of police-reported crashes involving all types of motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, ranging from property-damage-only crashes to those that result in fatalities.”