Teenage Driving Facts: Help Keep New Drivers Safe By Sharing These Facts

As new drivers, teenagers are very excited to get behind the wheel and experience life on the road. However, it is very important for them to follow safe driving rules. Teens, along with all drivers, should be following road signs, speed limit laws and be extra aware when driving on the road. Keeping these teenage driving facts in mind can help them keep all roads safe for everyone.

Teenage Traffic Violations

With this new freedom on their plate, it looks like teenagers may be slipping on following the rules of the road. Nearly 50-percent of drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 are convicted of a traffic violation within their first year of driving. Of those traffic violations by teens, the most common violation is speeding. Speeding can result in the loss of vehicle control.

Teenage Traffic Deaths

Researchers have found that drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 have the highest rates of traffic conviction, collision and injury of any age group. Among teenagers, traffic collisions are the leading cause of death. For people under 18 years old, their risk of a fatal collision is about 2 and a half times that of an "average" driver. For people under 18 years old, their risk of an injury collision is 3 times higher than the "average" driver.

Teenage Traffic Collisions

Teenagers may be driving less than adults, but that doesn't mean they have better driving statistics. As a group, teenagers average twice as many collisions as adult drivers, even though they only drive half as many miles. This means their collision rate per mile is four times greater than the adult driver collision rate.

Why the big difference in traffic collisions and deaths for teens compared to the other age groups? Studies have shown that these traffic deaths are a combination of their inexperience, their lack of familiarity with the vehicle they are driving and their need to push themselves and/or the vehicle to the limit.

Of course, we all want these teenagers to get on the road and be safe drivers. That is where our driving lessons come into play, as we can help them and teach them to be safe on the roads.