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Teen Drivers

Teen driver with other teen passengers in car.

Teen Drivers

DYK Crashes Are the No. 1 Cause of Death for Adolescents?

Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for adolescents. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, three out of five accidental deaths for teens ages 16-20 are due to motor vehicle crashes. Teen drivers are four times more likely than adult drivers to be
involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Teen Driver Parental Toolkit

What Parents Can Do to Keep Teen Drivers Safe

Teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers over 20 years old, and ten times more likely to be involved in a non-fatal crash. With the help of involved parents, teens can become safer, smarter drivers. 

Parents often have more influence over teens than they imagine. Teens that say their parents set rules and support them are half as likely to crash as teens who say their parents are not as involved.

  • Supervise your teen's driving.
  • Set driving rules and limits by having a teen/parent contract.
  • Talk to your teen about distracted driving. Michigan law bans texting while driving for all drivers and Kelsey's Law prohibits cell phone use for Level 1 and Level 2 license holders.
  • Choose vehicles for safety, not image. Teens should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of being in a crash and offer protection in case they do crash. Avoid cars with performance images that might encourage speeding. Mid-size and large sedans are best.
  • Lead by example. Follow the rules of the road. Always wear a seat belt. Don't talk on a cell phone or text while driving. Don't drive while under the influence of alcohol. Don't speed.

A video, titled “Put Your Foot Down,” encourages parents to talk to their teen drivers about the dangers of speeding.

 

The 100 Most Dangerous Days for Teen Drivers

Overall, the crash rate for teen drivers is four times that of adult drivers. And more teen driving fatalities occur in the summer than any other time of the year. With more freedom, teens drive and gather more often. They're also more likely to engage in high-risk activities like speeding or underage drinking and drug use.

We want all Michigan teens to have a safe summer. So take the time to learn more about teens driving safely.

Impaired Driving Factsheet

Distracted Driving Factsheet

Driving with Passengers Factsheet

Seat Belt Factsheet

Speed Factsheet

 

Teen Driver Social Media Toolkit for Schools - Michigan schools are encouraged to utilize the toolkit’s messages and graphics to help educate their students about the dangers of distracted driving and to help prevent fatalities and injuries.

 

OHSP Teen Program Partners

In One Instant: Teen Safe-Driving Program
Michigan Driver Education Assessment
Ford Driving Skills For Life
Peer-to-Peer Teen Traffic Safety Program Guide
Teen Driving Dangers

Other Relevant Resources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Safety Council - Car Crashes Are the Number 1 Cause of Preventable Deaths for Teens
National Work Zone Safe Course for Teen Drivers 
ThinkFirst: National Injury Prevention Foundation