Teen Driver Report – The States with the Most and Least Teenage Driving Fatalities

Each year, thousands of teens lose their lives in car crashes, and hundreds of thousands are treated in emergency departments for injuries related to motor vehicle crashes. For years, traffic crashes have been the #1 teenage killer in America.

The Zutobi team took a deep dive into the topic. First, we examined what factors contributed to teen deaths on the road, including drinking while under the influence (DUI), speeding, distracted driving, and other causes. Then, we ranked each state from best to worst and reported the number of deaths per 100,000 teen drivers per state. Our team also looked at the historical statistics and considered what programs and initiatives may have contributed to the decrease.

Note: Driving statistics takes time to collect. This report features the latest data released in 2024.

The 2022 number remains alarmingly high

On a broader level, the number of young driver road deaths has been steadily decreasing in the last since 1982. Although we can see that there has been a sharp increase in fatalities the first year of the pandemic. The number of young driver and passenger fatalities have increased by 19.5% in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Recent data shows that 3,082 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver between the ages of 15 and 20 in 2022. While this represents a marginal decrease from the preceding year’s toll of 3,211 lives within the same age group, the figure remains disturbingly high. Moreover, compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, the disparity persists at 19.4%.

What are the main causes of fatal teen driving accidents?

Young drivers are at greater risk for accidents, injuries, and death as a result of motor vehicle crashes because of their inexperience and immaturity. That’s why many states have more stringent laws for teen drivers in an effort to provide greater protection. Top causes of fatalities are:

• Alcohol Consumption: Although alcohol usage is illegal for those under 21 years of age, young drivers’ consumption of alcohol remains a large reason for teenage traffic fatalities. 632 teen drivers were killed in DUI crashes in 2022, showing an increase from 588 in 2021. According to multiple studies gathered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more young people die in fatal crashes when the drinking age is lowered.
• Speeding continues to be a major factor contributing to teenage traffic fatalities in the United States. According to new data, in 2022 alone, a concerning number of 1,826 teen drivers lost their lives in speeding-related crashes. These tragic statistics highlight the need for heightened awareness and effective measures to address the dangers of exceeding speed limits among young drivers.
• Distracted Driving: Teenagers are naturally distracted individuals, so it’s no surprise that distracted driving is a top cause of traffic fatalities for teens. Distracted driving involves doing another activity while driving including texting, calling friends, eating, talking with other passengers, and putting on makeup. Speaking on a mobile phone while driving doubles the crash risk, while texting increases the crash risk by up to six times. In 2022, 296 teens were killed in motor vehicle accidents due to distracted driving.
• Seat Belts: Seat belt use is lowest among teen drivers. In fact, the majority of teenagers involved in fatal crashes are unbuckled. According to the NHTSA data,  in 2022, 50% of teen drivers who died were unbuckled. Even more troubling, when the teen driver involved in the fatal crash was unbuckled, nine out of 10 of the passengers who died were also unbuckled. 

The states with the most teenagers killed in traffic accidents

For the third year in a row, Kentucky has the most teenage driving fatalities in the country, with 71.42 deaths per 100,000 teenage drivers.

The second worst state is Wyoming (59.34), followed by Arkansas (45.80), New Mexico (45.02), Mississippi (39.60), Maine (38.25), Montana (38.14), Luoisiana (37.87), Arizona (36.41), and North Carolina (36.12).

The states with the least teenagers killed in traffic accidents

The complete list of teenage traffic fatalities, by state

How can this be improved?

Teen drivers aren’t involved in vehicle crashes due to ignorance of basic road rules or safe driving practices. Rather, studies highlight that crashes often result from inexperience and risk-taking behavior, underscoring the need for enhanced education quality.

“Teenage drivers need more than just textbook knowledge; they need interactive and innovative education that explains and engages,” emphasizes Lucas Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, a leading EdTech company in driver’s education. “We must keep pace with the times, incorporating methods like videos, gamification, and simulations to truly teach and inspire.”

Teenage drivers must grasp the rationale behind driving safety practices, not just their existence. Moreover, they should aspire to become safe and responsible drivers, prioritizing education over mere test passing. Regrettably, this priority is often reversed.

Establishing a strong foundation early on is crucial for fostering safe driving habits and reducing teenage fatalities on the road. Transformation is essential in the licensing journey, seamlessly integrating the experiences of students, teachers, driving instructors, and parents. Currently, Drivers Ed and behind-the-wheel training are often disjointed. Theory teachers and driving instructors operate in silos, while parents have limited insight into their children’s progress. A pivotal study conducted by CHOP and State Farm, “Driving Through the Eyes of Teens,” revealed that the parental involvement positive impacts on driving safety.

By adopting innovative educational approaches, integrating the licensing journey, and leveraging insights from impactful studies, we can collectively work towards a safer driving environment for teenagers.

Previous reports

2022 Teen driver report

2023 Teen driver report

Methodology

Most of the injury data has been gathered using the NHTSA crash data tool, and the Fatality and Injury Reporting System (FIRST). To find the number of licensed teen drivers, we looked at data from the Federal Highway Administration.