On the road, many young lives are cut short and if you are a teen driver or you are the parent of a young driver, it is important to understand how many lives are lost in these crashes each year. From poor weather to drunk drivers and speeding, there are a host of reasons why young people (as well as drivers of any age) find themselves involved in tragic motor vehicle collisions.
Unfortunately, the impact of an accident is often especially devastating for teens. Not only do these wrecks lead to serious injuries (including permanent immobility) and the loss of life, but they can create problems at school and cause emotional pain as well.
Looking at statistics on teen accident deaths
According to research published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of drivers between 15 and 20 who lost their lives in traffic accidents decreased by 4% in 2017 when compared to the year before. Moreover, the number of lives lost in collisions involving drivers between 15 and 20 declined by 26% when comparing data from 2008 with 2017. Although this is a positive trend, far too many young lives were cut short as a result of auto accidents. In 2017, 1,830 drivers in this age group passed away in motor vehicle wrecks, a common cause of death for those between 15 and 20.
Looking at other statistics on teen drivers
During 2017, there were 12.1 million drivers between 15 and 20 in the U.S. Research shows that male drivers in this age group are more likely to pass way in traffic collisions than female drivers. In 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost twice as many male drivers between 16 and 19 passed away compared to female drivers.