Ford Teen Driving Safety

Across most of the United States, teens begin driving at 16 years old. In some states, the beginner driving age is as young as 14. While graduated licensing has improved the safety of teen drivers, their inexperience puts them at higher risk of accidents. In fact, research shows that despite progress reducing teen driving deaths from 2005 to 2014, teen drivers are still 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than adults 35-40.

Good driving habits must be a priority for teen drivers and their parents. Distracted driving, texting/phone use, speed, alcohol and seatbelt use should all be brought up regularly in conversation. Teens need guidance on what they can and cannot do safely while driving. And parents need the peace of mind to know their child is employing good habits, even when they’re not with them.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently issued a report pointing out that there’s a unique feature, called MyKey, on more than 10-million vehicles that can help – and more parents are starting to use it.

Kelley Blue Book’s Michael Harley and his 19-year-old son, Patrick discuss the latest statistics on teen driving habits, and share ways that teens and parents can work together to be safer on the road.

DID YOU KNOW?
Teen Driving Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
— 2,820 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016.
— In 2015, the latest year for which data are available, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death among 13-19 year-old males and females in the United States.
— In 2016, 55% of the deaths of teenage passengers in passenger vehicles occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager.
— In 2016, teenage crash deaths occurred most often in June. May, July, August, October and November also saw elevated crash deaths among teens.
— 53% of motor vehicle crash deaths among teenagers in 2016 occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
— Teenage motor vehicle crash deaths in 2016 occurred most frequently from 9 p.m. to midnight (18%), followed closely by the time between 6 and 9 p.m. (16%) and between 3 and 6 p.m. (15%).