Is Your Teen One of Them? Alarming Truth About Teen Driving Risks.

By: Ciara Perez

United States — Handing over the keys to your teenager might feel like a major milestone — but it also marks a new chapter of risk and responsibility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens aged 15 to 18. As parents prepare to navigate this next stage, the importance of talking about safe driving habits is greater than ever.

🚗 Distracted Driving: A Deadly Decision

One in three teens who text admit to doing it behind the wheel. Texting increases a teen's crash risk by 23 times, and dialing a phone number increases it sixfold. Distractions also include eating, applying makeup, changing music, or simply having passengers in the car. Even five seconds of distraction can be enough to end a life.

“Driving demands 100% focus — eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, all the time,” says NHTSA.

🚨 Speeding, Impairment, and Passengers Multiply the Danger

In 2022, 30% of fatal teen crashes involved speeding. Adding teen passengers triples the risk of a fatal crash. And while underage drinking is illegal in all 50 states, 22% of 15- to 18-year-olds involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. Drugs — including prescription and over-the-counter — also impair a teen’s ability to drive safely.

😴 Drowsy Driving is Just as Dangerous

Teens juggling school, sports, jobs, and social lives often skimp on sleep. But fatigue can be just as impairing as alcohol, slowing reaction times and impairing judgment. Teens aged 17–23 are at the highest risk for drowsy driving-related crashes, especially at night.

📋 Seat Belts Save Lives — But Teens Still Ignore Them

In 2022, half of all teen drivers who died in crashes were unbuckled, and when the driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt, 90% of passengers who died weren’t buckled either. It’s a simple action that could save their lives every single ride.

💬 What Can Parents Do?

Start the Conversation Early: Talk to your teen about safe driving habits before they ever get behind the wheel.
Set the Standard: Model good behavior — no texting, speeding, or drinking and driving.
Create a Parent-Teen Contract: Outline rules, curfews, passenger limits, and consequences in writing.
Know Your State's Laws: Familiarize yourself with Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws and enforce them.
Be the Backup Plan: Remind your teen they can always call you for a safe ride — no questions asked.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bottom Line

Whether it’s distraction, speed, impairment, or fatigue — the risks facing teen drivers are real. But with strong communication, good role modeling, and consistent boundaries, parents can make a life-saving difference.

Visit NHTSA.gov/TeenDriving to get tools, resources, and a parent-teen driving contract you can start using today.

Stay safe, stay informed, and buckle up — every trip, every time.

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Is Your Teen One of Them? Alarming Truth About Teen Driving Risks.

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Is Your Teen One of Them? Alarming Truth About Teen Driving Risks.