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April Safety Newsletter (Sign up here to get upcoming newsletters - FREE!)

Teen Drivers - Distractions and Other Risk Factors

In January, we talked about the hazards of distracted driving and provided some reminders to adult drivers. This month’s focus is on teen driving factors and how they differ from the risks adults face.

Don’t skip this article just because you don’t have teens in the house – we all share the road and this information could make you a little more cautious around younger drivers. Once you’ve read this, you’ll understand why that is probably a good idea.

Obviously, there are some pretty big differences in the danger factors between teen drivers and adults -- not the least of which are inexperience, risk taking and immaturity and greater risk exposure.

The good news is if we are paying attention, we can help kids stay more focused on safety as they navigate the teen driving years (and possibly reduce our own risks as fellow drivers).

The Facts:

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; the crash rate per miles driven is 4 times higher for 15 to 20 year olds than for drivers over age 20. The NHTSA reports that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for this age group and that distracted driving is a factor in one out of every four crashes.

What’s Behind It?

A recent policy statement “The Teen Driver” from the American Academy of Pediatrics cites these reasons teens are at greater risk for motor vehicle related injuries:

  • Lack of driver experience
  • Young age at licensure
  • Failure to use safety belts
  • Inadequate hazard-perception skills
  • Distraction (cellular phone, food, drink, music)
  • Transporting teenaged passengers
  • Nighttime driving
  • Speeding and reckless driving
  • Fatigue
  • Unsafe vehicle choice
  • Alcohol use
  • Drug or medication use
  • Inadequate parental limit setting
  • Unlicensed or revoked license
  • ADHD

Who Is At Greatest Risk?

The statement features evidence from one study indicating the rate of accidents is highest during the first month a teen is licensed. That rate goes down quickly over the next 5 months with increased experience behind the wheel and then levels off for the next 18 months. In spite of the improvement, inexperience still causes the majority of non-fatal accidents among drivers 15 to 20 years old.

Boys are more apt to speed and try difficult driving maneuvers leading to a higher rate of involvement in fatal, speed-related crashes. Taking chances, caving in to peer pressures, overestimating their abilities and emotions all play a role in creating greater risk for both male and female teen drivers.

The Distracter Factor!!

The study also reports a direct correlation between the chances of being in a car crash to the number of teenaged passengers. 16- to 17-year olds have a 40% higher risk of crashing when they have 1 friend in the car, 50% higher with 2 friends, and 4 times higher with 3 or more teen passengers!

Driving in the dark is harder for everyone but fatigue and lack of practice may play a greater role for teenagers. Sixteen- to 17-year olds have a higher rate of nighttime crashes than any other age group with 58% of fatal crashes occurring between 9pm and 12pm.

What Can Be Done?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Transportation Administration advocate strong graduated licensing laws that restrict night driving, limit teen passengers set zero alcohol tolerance and require a specific amount of supervised practice during the initial phase. In state that have enacted such laws, the teen crash-related fatality rate has dropped substantially.

In “Beginning Teenage Drivers”, the IIHS & NHTSA provide the following recommendations for parents:

  • Don’t rely solely on drivers education – it may be convenient typically doesn’t do as good a job as a parent can at focusing on safety attitudes and decision making.
  • Know the law - Restrictions on beginning drivers vary by state. To learn about the law in your state, click here.
  • Restrict night driving – it requires more skill and is generally more recreational – creating distraction and more risk taking.
  • Restrict passengers – especially multiple teens. Nights are worse than days but both are distractions for a beginning driver.
  • Supervise practice driving – spread it over 6 months, continue even after full licensure and include night driving and a variety of other driving situations.
  • Remember that you are a role model – practice safe driving yourself to increase the odds your child will drive safely.
  • Require safety belt use – don’t assume, but insist that your child wear a safety belt at all times.
  • Prohibit drinking – adopt a no tolerance policy. Even a small amount of alcohol is an impairment to a teen.
  • Choose vehicles for safety, not image – select cars with the best protection in a crash and avoid cars that encourage speeding.

Other Options to Consider:

Performance driving schools or home study classes directed at teens. If you aren’t sure about sending your teen to a driving school, you could try one of the many DVD or on-line courses offered.

Some parents use a written driving agreement to outline their expectations, set penalties and establish graduated driving privileges in advance. This article – “Parent-Teen Driving Agreements: Contracts for Safety?”; from American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, lists the elements of a driving agreement including obeying laws, practicing safe behaviors and even maintaining the car.


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