Young Drivers

Teen drivers have the highest crash risk per mile traveled of any
age group. The problem is worst among 16 year olds, who have
the most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often
results in risk-taking. Characteristics of fatal crashes of 16 year-
old drivers include:

Driver error: Compared with older drivers’ fatal crashes, those of
16 year-olds more often involve driver error.

Speeding: Sixteen-year-old drivers have a higher rate of fatal
crashes in which excessive speed is a factor.

Single-vehicle crashes: More of 16 year-old’s fatal crashes involve only the teen’s vehicle. Typically these are high-speed chases in which the driver lost control.

Passengers: Sixteen year-olds’ fatal crashes are more likely to occur when passengers are riding in the vehicle. This risk increases with the additional of every passenger.

Alcohol: Although this is a problem among drivers of all ages, it’s actually less of a problem for 16 year-olds. Typically, about 15 percent of fatally injured 16-year-old drivers have blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 percent or more, but alcohol becomes more of a problem in later teen years.

Night driving: This is a high risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the nighttime fatal crash rate of 16 year olds is about twice as high at night compared with during the day.

Low belt use: Most teenagers who are killed in crashes aren’t using their safety belts.

What parents of teenagers can do:

• Don’t rely solely on driver education: High school driver education may be the most convenient way to learn skills, but it doesn’t produce safer drivers.
• Know the law: Become familiar with restrictions on young drivers.
• Restrict night driving: Most young drivers’ nighttime fatal crashes occur from 9 p.m. to midnight;
• Restrict passengers: Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and/or lead to greater risk-taking.
• Supervise practice driving: Take an active role in helping your teen to drive. Plan a series of practice sessions in a wide variety of situations, including night driving.
• Remember that you’re a role model. New drivers learn a lot by examples so practice safe driving.
• Require safety belt use: Don’t assume that belt use when you’re in the car with your 16 year-old means a belt will be used when your child is driving along or with peers.
• Prohibit driving after drinking: Make it clear that it’s illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager to drive after drinking alcohol or using any other drug.
• Choose vehicles for safety, not image: Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a crash and offer protection in case they do crash.

* Information provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Nodak Mutual is here to help. If you attend a safe driver program such as Route 1000 you save 7% on your auto premiums plus develop lifelong safe driving habits. If you're paying for your own insurance, you'll appreciate the savings. If mom and dad are paying for your insurance, they may require that you attend.