The average American drives for the first time during their teenage years. Teenagers make up the second smallest group of drivers in the US. Ironically, drivers aged 16 have the highest crash rates compared to drivers in other age groups.

1. Risky Behavior
of
Teenage Drivers
Oxford Auto Insurance

2. The average American drives for the first time
during their teenage years. Teenagers make up
the second smallest group of drivers in the US.
Ironically, drivers aged 16 have the highest
crash rates compared to drivers in other age
groups.
Lack of experience is a major contributor to a
teen driver’s involvement in car accidents.
Additionally, their tendency towards
impulsiveness, fearlessness, and sometimes
reckless behavior often affects their driving
habits. Sleepy driving and angry driving are
among these risky practices. The display of
careless behavior in teen drivers is likely to
cause traffic accidents.
Teenagers are Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes
of death among young people. Drivers are
distracted when they eat or chat with
passengers. Cell phone use is the major
distraction for drivers.
Alarmingly, about 86% of teenagers think it’s
safe to use a cell phone while driving. 34% of
teenagers surveyed in a study admitted to
having texted while driving. Teen drivers use
cell phones for directions and to report to
friends or parents.

3. When a driver is texting, they tend to look down for at least three seconds. In these critical
seconds, they may miss the brake signal of the car in front or the pedestrian crossing.
Gender Differences
Gender plays a role in the driving practices of teenagers. Teenage boys tend to be overconfident
when driving. They are also likely to engage in reckless driving, drunk driving, and drag racing.
This overestimation of their driving skills makes them aggressive drivers. Overconfident drivers
may not assess a risky situation correctly.
On the other hand, female teenage drivers sometimes violate speed limits. Although on the
overall, teen female drivers are more likely to drive more safely than teenage boys.
Teenagers’ sense of adventure can prompt them to display risky behaviors when driving. Before
they are allowed on the road, parents and instructors should assess not only the driving ability
but the attitude, as well. Should a teenager be given a license to drive, they should be insured
and well-oriented on traffic rules and safe driving.

4. Sources:
https://www.oxfordauto.com/
https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teen-driving
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/sc-auto-cover-0531-
parents-teen-driving-20180525-story.html
http://jacobschulman.com/old/schoolbackup/OLD%20SCHOOL/Grade%2010/Rese
arch%20Seminar/Cyber-
Bullying:Driving/Students%20and%20Risky%20Driving%20Behaviors.pdf
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/17726