Teenage Drivers

Did You Know? Did you know that in 32 states, parents have the right to request that the Department of Motor Vehicles revoke the license of their minor child?

Although teen drivers, between the ages of 16 and 19, constitute almost 7 percent of all licensed drivers, they are involved in 15 percent of fatal motor vehicle-related crashes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a 16-year-old driver is more than 20 times as likely to have a motor vehicle crash than any other licensed driver. In fact, the leading cause of death among 16- to 20-year-olds is motor vehicle-related crashes.

Why are teenage drivers at higher risk?

There are two main reasons why teenage drivers are at increased risk for motor vehicle-related crashes that result in injury or death, including the following:

• lack of driving experience
  Lack of experience means the teenage driver is less able to detect and respond to traffic hazards, less in control of his/her vehicle, and less able to integrate speed.
  
  
• risk behavior of teenagers
  Teenagers tend to take more risks as they are influenced by their emotions, stress, and peer pressure. In addition, experimenting with alcohol and recreational drugs can impair the teenager's driving ability. Also, teenage drivers tend to not use their seat belts, increasing their risk of injury in a crash. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), less than one-fourth of high school students say they always wear their seat belts when another person is driving.

The Media and Teenage Driving Behavior The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that the alcoholic beverages industry stop advertising aimed at teenagers. In addition, the AAP also recommends that the entertainment industry should avoid portraying speeding and reckless driving, and instead show universal use of safety belts.

Another contributing factor to the increased risk to teenager drivers includes nighttime driving. Nighttime driving is more difficult for anyone, especially the novice driver. However, teenagers tend to do disproportionately more driving at night, increasing their risk of a fatal motor vehicle crash, as compared to daytime driving.

Safer teenage driving:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made the following recommendations to pediatricians in coordination with parents to ensure safer teenage driving:

• Emphasize to both the parents and teenagers how important safe driving is, including the fact that teenagers need to develop driving skills with supervised practice.
  
  
• Set a good driving example as an adult.
  
  
• Establish limits on your teenager's driving privileges, such as a limited number of passengers and/or restricted nighttime driving.
  
  
• Impose penalties for irresponsible driving behavior.
  
  
• Supervise teenage drivers in vehicles.
  
  
• Make sure the vehicle is mechanically safe.
  
  
• Get involved in community advocacy, such as helping coordinate alcohol-free events, to help support parent-peer initiatives and help teenagers avoid negative peer pressure.
  
  
• Support legislative advocacy that targets a reduction in motor vehicle crashes among teenage drivers, such as graduated licensing systems, stricter minimum driving age laws, and tougher safety belt laws.

The information on this Web page is provided for educational purposes. You understand and agree that this information is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. You agree that Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital is not making a diagnosis of your condition or a recommendation about the course of treatment for your particular circumstances through the use of this Web page. You agree to be solely responsible for your use of this Web page and the information contained on this page. Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and information providers shall not be liable for any damages you may suffer or cause through your use of this page even if advised of the possibility of such damages.