The 8 Biggest Crash Risks for Teen Drivers (CDC Data)

The CDC names eight "danger zones" that cause most teen crashes: inexperience, teen passengers, night driving, not wearing seat belts, distraction, drowsiness, reckless driving and impairment. Each one is something a parent can practice for or set a rule about.

That matters because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens. Below, each danger zone comes with the numbers behind it and a few practical ideas.

The big picture

A few numbers frame the problem:

• About 2,800 teens ages 13 to 19 were killed in crashes in 2020, roughly eight teens a day, according to the CDC.
• IIHS reports 2,899 teenagers died from crash injuries in 2024, down 50% from 1996.
• Young drivers made up 5% of licensed drivers but 8.9% of all drivers in fatal crashes in 2023, per NHTSA data compiled by Triple-I.
• Teen drivers have crash rates over 4 times those of drivers 20 and older per mile driven.

1. Driver inexperience

Crash risk is highest in the first year of licensure, especially the first several months. The CDC also notes that the crash rate per mile is about 1.5 times as high for 16-year-olds as for 18 and 19 year olds.

What helps: the CDC recommends as many supervised practice hours as possible over at least six months, on different roads, at different times and in different weather. IIHS adds that practice quality matters more than quantity. See Learner's Permit Practice Hours by State: A Log Guide for your state's minimum, and treat it as a floor.

2. Teen and young adult passengers

The CDC says crash risk for unsupervised teen drivers rises with each additional teen or young adult passenger. NHTSA cites research finding teens were about 2.5 times more likely to take risks with one teen peer in the car and about 3 times more likely with several.

What helps: no teen passengers for at least the first six months, or no more than one if that is not possible. Check your state's limits in Teen Driver GDL Restrictions Explained for Parents.

3. Nighttime driving

Per mile, the nighttime fatal crash rate for drivers 16 to 19 is about 3 times that of drivers 30 to 59. In 2020, 44% of teen crash deaths happened between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and half happened on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

What helps: the CDC suggests your teen be off the road by 9 or 10 p.m. for at least the first six months. Practice night driving together before they do it alone.

4. Not wearing seat belts

In 2020, 56% of teen drivers and passengers ages 16 to 19 who died in crashes were not buckled, among cases where belt use was known. NHTSA reports 51% of teen passenger vehicle drivers killed in 2024 were unbuckled.

What helps: seat belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury by about half. Make it a no-exceptions rule, front and back, for driver and passengers. And buckle up yourself every time.

5. Distracted driving

In 2019, 39% of high school students who drove said they had texted or emailed while driving at least once in the prior 30 days.

What helps: the CDC recommends no phone calls, texting, eating or adjusting the radio while driving. A simple routine helps: phone in the glove box or on do-not-disturb before the car moves.

6. Drowsy driving

The CDC says young drivers are at high risk of drowsy driving, especially early in the morning or late at night. NHTSA counts 644 lives lost to drowsy driving in 2024, across all ages.

What helps: know your teen's schedule. A teen who closed at work and has a 7 a.m. practice may need a ride, not the keys.

7. Reckless driving

Teens often lack the experience and judgment to read risky situations. In 2020, 35% of male and 18% of female drivers ages 15 to 20 in fatal crashes were speeding. IIHS says speeding was a factor in almost a third of teen drivers' fatal crash involvements.

What helps: teach your teen to follow the speed limit, slow down for conditions, and leave enough space to stop safely. IIHS found in-vehicle monitoring reduced speeding most when parents were also notified.

8. Impaired driving

In 2020, 29% of drivers ages 15 to 20 killed in crashes had been drinking. IIHS notes that at a BAC of 0.05 to 0.079%, drivers 16 to 20 are 12 times more likely to be killed in a single-vehicle crash than sober teens. The CDC adds that marijuana, other drugs, and even some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can impair driving.

What helps: model it yourself: never drive after drinking or using any impairing substance. Promise your teen a no-questions ride home if they or their driver have been drinking.

Put it in writing

The CDC recommends a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement to turn these rules into a clear family plan. It also suggests parents add their own limits when state law falls short of best practice. We cover what to include in Parent-Teen Driving Agreement: What to Include.

FAQ

What are the CDC's eight danger zones for teen drivers?

Driver inexperience, driving with teen passengers, nighttime driving, not using seat belts, distracted driving, drowsy driving, reckless driving, and impaired driving.

When is a teen driver most at risk?

In the first months after getting a license. The CDC says crash risk is highest in the first year, especially the first several months.

How much riskier is it for teens to drive at night?

The CDC says the nighttime fatal crash rate for drivers 16 to 19 is about 3 times that of drivers 30 to 59, per mile driven.

Do passengers really make teen drivers less safe?

Yes. The CDC says risk rises with each additional teen or young adult passenger, and NHTSA cites research showing teens take more risks with peers in the car.

Start with good training

Professional lessons are one way to build skills before the solo drive. If you use a driving school, choose one your state has licensed, and ask whether its certificates can be checked. Certificates issued through RoadVerified carry a verification code and QR anyone can check at roadverified.com/verify.

Find a verified driving school in our directory.