National Teen Driving Statistics

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds.

• 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.

• 16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers.

• 2,739 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2008, down 13.7% from 3,174 in 2007 and down 20.2% from 3,431 in 1998.

• About 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008 were males (IIHS).

• Drivers ages 15-20 accounted for 12% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 and 14% of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes.

• 63% of teenage passenger deaths in 2008 occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 19% occurred when a teenager was driving (IIHS).

• 81% of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths in 2008 were passenger vehicle occupants.

• The number of drivers ages 15-20 involved in fatal crashes totaled 5,864 in 2008, down 16% from 6,982 in 2007 and down 26% from 7,987 in 1998.

• In 2006 (latest data available) crashes involving 15- to 17-year-olds cost more than $34 billion nationwide in medical treatment, property damage and other costs, according to an AAA analysis.

• In states with GDL programs that include at least five of the most important elements, there was a 20% reduction in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers.

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2008:

  • Hand-held cellphone use was highest among 16- to 24-year-olds (8% in 2008, down from 9% in 2007).

  • 37% of male drivers ages 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time.

  • 55%, or 2,014, of the 3,678 occupants of passenger vehicles ages 16-20 who were killed in crashes were not buckled up.

  • 31% of drivers ages 15-20 who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking some amount of alcohol; 25% were alcohol-impaired, meaning they had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher.

• Statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger (IIHS).

Colorado Teen Driving Statistics

Sources: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) | Colorado Department of Revenue

• Colorado's first graduated driver licensing laws began in 1999.

• Colorado's graduated drivers license program appears to be making a difference. CDOT reports that 48 people ages 15-20 died in Colorado car crashes during 2008—down 54% from 2003.

• In 2008, 25% of teens ages 15-20 who died in car crashes in Colorado were riding with teen drivers ages 15-17. Source: Colorado FARS Occupants Fatalities (Motorcycles, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians excluded).
  
  

  Target Group	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
  Teen Occupant Fatalities Ages 15-20	103	99	83	72	51	48
  Teen Occupant Fatalities Ages 15-20 with Drivers Ages 15-17	45	41	20	18	19	12

• Teen drivers represent nearly 6% of licensed Colorado drivers, but they account for more than 11% of all traffic deaths in the state.

• 28% of Colorado's 16-year-olds got drivers licenses in 2006 compared to 60% in 1999. That translates to 19,000 16-year-old drivers in 2006 down from 36,000 in 1999.

• Colorado drivers age 19 and younger totaled 150,000 in 2006 compared to 178,000 in 1995.