Younger Drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. The crash rate per mile driven for 16-year-old drivers is almost 10 times the rate for drivers aged 30-59.

Teen driver inexperience, coupled with immaturity, often results in risk-taking behaviors such as speeding, alcohol use and not wearing a seat belt—all of which contribute to an increased death rate.

To reduce the death rate states are enacting Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws that phase in driving privileges. Traffic safety experts agree a that well-designed GDL program includes the following characteristics:

  • Learners permit issued no earlier than age 16
  • Learner stage lasts at least 6 months
  • Parents certify at least 30-50 hours of supervised practice during the learner stage
  • Intermediate stage lasts until at least age 18 and includes:
    • Nighttime driving restriction starting at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.
    • Passenger restriction (no teenage passengers or no more than one teenage passenger)
  • Restricted cell phone usage

According to results published by NHTSA in June 2006, significant reductions in deaths were associated with GDL laws that included age requirements, a waiting period of at least three months before the intermediate stage, a restriction on nighttime driving, 30 or more hours of supervised driving and a restriction on carrying passengers or the number and age of passengers carried.

In addition to laws, safety experts agree that parents also play a key role in helping teens become good drivers. Parents should not rely solely on drivers education classes to teach good driving habits and should restrict night driving, restrict the numbers of passengers riding with their teen, supervise practice driving, alway require use of seat belts and choose vehicles for safety, not image. Parents can also set a good example by practicing safe driving themselves.

To help supplement driver education instruction, GHSA and the Ford Motor Company developed Driving Skills for Life, an innovative skills development program for new teen drivers that addresses the factors most involved in teen crashes. The program presents material in a format that is both acceptable and relevant to teenagers. Read more about the Driving Skills for Life program.