2024 Teen Driver Car Crash Statistics

According to NHTSA data, male teens are more than twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash and also more than twice as likely to be killed in a crash than female teens.² In addition, teens between the ages of 17 and 19 are more likely to die in a crash than teens 16 and under.³

Teen vehicle crash deaths, by age

Rate of passenger vehicle deaths per 100,000 people, by gender and age

Young male drivers may be more at risk for crashes because they participate more frequently in aggressive driving and are more likely to speed than young female drivers. When teens drive with their peers, these chances are even higher: The majority of teen passenger deaths in 2022 (56 percent) occurred when another teen was driving.⁴ This makes sense, as teens are more likely to become distracted when their friends are in the car with them and may attempt to look cool, which can lead to reckless driving and an accident.

Men, especially young men, usually pay more for car insurance than young women, except in states that do not allow insurers to consider gender. They tend to pose a higher risk for insurance companies than young women do because of their higher fatality rates, higher DUI rates, and greater likelihood of being stopped by police for traffic violations.

NHTSA data revealed that the most teen vehicle crash deaths in 2022 occurred on Saturday and Sunday, when they may be going out with friends and there might be more drunk drivers on the road. The most frequent time period for crash deaths was between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m., when it’s often dark out.⁵

Teen crash deaths by time of day, 2022

*Total includes other and/or unknowns

Driving at night is more dangerous at any age, and most crashes happen on nights and weekends. But night driving is particularly dangerous for teens since they have less driving experience and may be more likely to be distracted by friends in the car with them.

IIHS’s data analysis shows that a larger percentage of teens between the ages of 16 and 19 were involved in single-vehicle crashes (43 percent) than any other age group.

This indicates that teens are more likely than other age groups to lose control of their vehicle and crash without the involvement of another vehicle. There may be many reasons for this, including a general lack of confidence behind the wheel, not fully understanding the effects of wet roads on braking time and maneuvering, etc.

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. According to 2022 data from the NHTSA, 7 percent of distracted drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes were teens between 15 and 19.

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.

An AutoInsurance.com survey 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.

Driving with passengers in the vehicle can also create distractions and lead to crashes. Studies have shown that for each additional passenger under age 21 that rides with a young driver, the risk of an accident increases significantly.

Whether teenagers are allowed to drive with passengers, and the boundaries regarding having passengers (how many, at what time of day, etc.), are decisions parents will need to make. But in some states, teen drivers are not allowed to drive with passengers other than siblings. A parent-teen driving contract is one way parents and teens can establish mutually agreed-upon rules for safe-driving behaviors, including rules about passengers.

Alcohol impairs all of the skills you need to drive safely, and it can be particularly dangerous for less experienced young drivers, in addition to being illegal. 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.

According to the NHTSA, automobile crashes injure more than 180,000 teens each year. 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.

In May 2024, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its latest recommendations for safe vehicles for teens.⁹ These vehicles earn high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA and feature advanced safety technologies, making them well-suited for young, inexperienced drivers. The IIHS recommendations fall into three tiers of vehicles: best used choices, good used choices (more affordable), and new vehicles.

Out of 49 different makes and models across the three categories, the following vehicles appear in at least two categories. Lightly used cars from a recent model year are good choices for households looking to purchase a vehicle for a teen driver, as they balance cost with safety features. In addition to the cost of a vehicle, adding a teen driver to an insurance policy will increase rates, as teens are the most expensive age group to insure.

According to 2021 data we analyzed, there are five car brands that seem to have a higher instance of injuries following a teen car crash. The brand associated with the greatest likelihood of crash injuries was Oldsmobile. About 17 percent of teens who crashed while driving an Oldsmobile had injuries. Chrysler, Pontiac, Chevrolet and Honda followed closely behind Oldsmobile.

Three of the top five brands on this list are or were owned by General Motors: Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet. However, it’s important to note that Oldsmobile and Pontiac cars have been discontinued since 2004 and 2010, respectively. This means that the models still on the road today are older and likely have fewer technological and safety advances than cars produced more recently.

Some cars are considered unsafe because of structural deficiencies, while older cars may have fewer technologies such as lane-keeping assist or blind spot detection that could help reduce crashes. Manufacturer negligence can lead to safety problems. For instance, Chrysler had to pay for failing to recall unsafe cars in 2015.¹⁰

Three of the five car models that were associated with injuries in teen driver crashes were compact or subcompact cars. Though small cars are attractive due to their fuel efficiency and overall costs, they aren’t the safest cars. Unfortunately, according to the IIHS, drivers are more likely to die in a compact car than a larger car. Large SUVs had the lowest overall death rate in recent studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Here are a few simple ways for teens to drive more safely:

• Before starting the engine, teens should adjust mirrors to provide maximum visibility.
• Young drivers should avoid distractions. They should refrain from eating at the wheel, sending texts or making calls, playing loud music, and transporting rowdy passengers.
• Teens should leave plenty of room between them and the cars they’re following to 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 plan on adding a few extra minutes for their driving routes so they can take their time. It’s OK to slow down, which allows for more reaction time if an obstacle suddenly appears.

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

We analyzed data from the following third parties:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
• University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
• Gallup