Facts and Figures

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Fortunately, teen motor vehicle crashes are preventable, and proven strategies can improve the safety of young drivers on the road.

Drivers aged 16-19 are twice as likely to crash as those 20-24; three times as likely as those 25-29; and more than four times as likely as those 30-69. Among those 16-19 years old, the youngest drivers have the highest risk.

In Alabama, vehicular deaths account for almost half of preventable deaths for residents less than 18 years of age each year. "Driver inexperience" is cited as the cause of many of those deaths.

Factors that Contribute to Death

In addition to the three primary factors in teen driver deaths, other factors that contribute to teen driver crashes, injuries, and fatalities include:

• Driver inexperience - this amplifies the effects of most other factors
• Speeding
• Aggressive and/or reckless driving
• Nighttime driving
• Unlicensed and underage driving
• Unsafe vehicles/equipment

Additional Statistics

• In 2020, About 2,800 teens in the United States ages 13-19 were killed and about 227,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes, and in 2019, among U.S. high school students who drove, 39% texted or emailed while driving at least once during the the prior 30 days.
• In 2020, the motor vehicle crash death rate for male drives ages 16-19 years old was three times as high as the death rate for female drives in the same age group.
• In 2020, the fatal crash rate at nighttime among teen drivers ages 16-19 years old is about 3 times as high as that of adults drivers ages 30-59 years old per mile driven.
• In 2020, 44% of motor vehicle crash deaths among teen drivers ages 13-19 years old occurred between 9pm and 6am, and 50% occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
• In 2020, among teen drivers and passengers 16-19 years of age who were killed in car crashes in 2020, 56% were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
• In 2020, 62% of drivers ages 15-20 years old were killed in motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving were not wearing a seat belt.
• In 2020, 35% of male and 18% of female drivers ages 15-20 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time if the crash.
• In 2020, 29% of drivers ages 15-20 years old were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking.