Are teen drivers the most dangerous drivers?
All drivers have to share the roads, and they are expected to be safe when they’re behind the wheel.
One group of people who are new to driving include teen drivers, and they’re likely to be out in force during the summer and fall months. As they learn to drive, there is a potential for them to make mistakes and get into auto accidents, but does that mean that they are the most dangerous drivers on the road?
Teen drivers have a higher risk of getting into crashes
While crashes aren’t always teens’ faults, they are at a much greater risk of getting into a crash than any other age group. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of a crash is higher between the ages of 16 and 19 than during any other time of life.
The CDC goes on to point out that drivers between 16 and 19 are up to three times more likely to get into a fatal crash than those who are 20 or older.
Not all teens face the same risk levels
It’s interesting to learn, but not all teens are the same or face the same level of risk on the roads. Those who are most at risk include:
- Newly licensed teens, who have a crash rate per mile of around 1.5 times greater than drivers between the ages of 18 and 19.
- Men, who have a death rate around two times greater than that of female drivers in the same age group (16 to 19).
- Teen drivers who bring along passengers. Passengers increase the risk of distractions, which means it’s much more likely for teens to get into a collision.
Teen drivers are among the most dangerous because they are simply inexperienced. They haven’t had time to develop their skills, and they’re young enough that they may not be aware of how important it is to stay focused and attentive while driving.
If you get into a crash with a teen driver, it’s still appropriate to hold them accountable for their actions, so the understand the real-life repercussions for causing a serious crash.