NEWS & EVENTS

10 Things Parents May Not Know About Teen Driver Safety

​The biggest threat to teens' safety is the vehicle sitting in their parents' driveways. Yet, many parents remain under-educated about the risks new drivers face. In observance of Driver Safety Training Week Jan. 07-13, 2018 the OSHAC compiled a list of statistics and facts many parents do not – but should – know about teen driver safety:

1. Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the U.S.
2. 65 percent of teens cite their parents as having the most influence over their driving habits
3. Half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school
4. A teen's crash risk is three times that of more experienced drivers
5. After years of declines, teen driving crashes and fatalities are on the rise
6. Just one teen passenger can increase a teen driver's crash risk by 35%
7. 60% of teen driver crashes occur because the teen made a critical error due to inexperience, such as driving too fast for conditions, not scanning for hazards or being distracted
8. 47% of teens who are killed in a car crash are unbelted
9. Cell phones are a huge driver of distraction for already inexperienced teen drivers, yet 10 states still allow some form of cell phone use for novice drivers
10. About 15% of teen car crashes involve an underage drinking driver

Parents have more influence on their teens' driving habits than they think. OSHAC driving safety training is perfect for parents to educate themselves, teach their teen’s safe driving habits and save lives."

According to the OSHAC Drive Safety Report, individual states vary greatly in their efforts to reduce teen driving fatalities. California is the only state considered to be "On Track" for teen driver safety; however other states, such as New Jersey, are finding success with new tactics to avoid teen crashes.  

 About the OSHAC

The OSHAC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. OSHAC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.