Smart Safety - Riskiest and Safest States for Teen Drivers

 A new study found the Riskiest and Safest States for Teen Drivers in America, in 2024.

The study conducted by Johnfitch.com found that Wyoming tops the list as the riskiest state for teen drivers, scoring 90.73 due to high fatalities involving young drivers (13.43% of traffic fatalities) and significant incidents of impaired driving (8.25 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers in fatal crashes).

Conversely, New Hampshire maintains its position as the safest state for teen drivers with a score of 23.56, thanks to its strict traffic regulations and responsible driving behavior. It records lower-than-average percentages of fatalities involving young drivers (6.16% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (2.94% of all drivers). 

This report by Johnfitch.com uses a 100-point scoring system to assess teen driver safety across US states. It considers factors like the percentage of traffic fatalities involving young drivers (aged 15-20), the proportion of teen drivers (aged 13-19) in fatal crashes, teen driver deaths per 10,000 licensed drivers, and rates of impaired driving incidents (distracted, speeding, drunk). Data sources include the NHTSA for fatalities, FHWA for licensed teen drivers, and the US Census Bureau for population figures. This approach aims to provide a clear comparison of safety risks faced by teen drivers across different states.

Key Findings

• Annual Fatalities: In 2022, 5,239 American lives were lost due to crashes involving young drivers aged 15-20, representing 13% of all traffic deaths.
• Leading Causes: Speeding and drunk driving were the main causes of fatal crashes among teen drivers, with 40% speeding and 28% driving drunk.
• Teen Driver Involvement: 6.12% (3,677) of drivers involved in fatal crashes were teenagers aged 13-19. Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah have the highest percentages of teen drivers among all drivers involved in fatal crashes.
• Safest States: New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York rank as the safest states for teen drivers. 
• Riskiest States: Wyoming, Kentucky, and New Mexico are the top three riskiest states for teen drivers. 

Top 10 Riskiest States for Teen Drivers

1. Wyoming: 

Wyoming tops the list as the riskiest state for teen drivers, scoring 90.73 due to high fatalities involving young drivers (13.43% of traffic fatalities) and significant incidents of impaired driving (8.25 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers in fatal crashes).

2. Kentucky: 

Kentucky ranks second with a score of 79.70, characterized by a notable percentage of traffic fatalities caused by young drivers (12.77%) and a substantial presence in fatal crashes (6.47% of all drivers involved).

3. New Mexico: 

New Mexico follows closely as the third riskiest state (score: 70.32) with concerning rates of young driver fatalities (12.23% of traffic fatalities) and a significant incidence of impaired driving among teens (8.17 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers).

4. Montana: 

Montana ranks fourth (score: 63.52) with high percentages of traffic fatalities involving young drivers (13.62%) and a notable presence in fatal crashes (7.91% of all drivers involved), though impaired driving incidents among teens are comparatively lower (3.63 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers).

5. Texas: 

Texas ranks fifth (score: 62.04) due to a high rate of traffic fatalities caused by young drivers (14.07% of traffic fatalities) and significant involvement in fatal crashes (6.78% of all drivers involved), with a notable presence of impaired driving among teens (6.43 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers).

6. North Dakota: 

North Dakota is sixth on the list (score: 61.55), exhibiting very high rates of young driver involvement in fatal crashes (16.33% of traffic fatalities) and impaired driving incidents among teens (3.84 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers).

7. Arizona: 

Arizona ranks seventh (score: 59.56) with high percentages of fatal crashes involving young drivers (12.98%) and substantial impaired driving incidents among teens (5.53 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers involved in fatal crashes).

8. Missouri: 

Missouri follows as the eighth riskiest state (score: 58.87) due to a significant percentage of traffic fatalities caused by young drivers (14.76%) and notable involvement in fatal crashes (7.24% of all drivers involved), with a moderate presence of impaired driving among teens (4.34 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers).

9. Delaware: 

Delaware ranks ninth (score: 57.84), characterized by concerning rates of young driver fatalities (19.75% of traffic fatalities) and high involvement in impaired driving incidents among teens (2.54 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers involved in fatal crashes).

10. Nebraska: 

Nebraska rounds out the top ten (score: 56.73) with high percentages of traffic fatalities involving young drivers (17.62%) and significant incidents of impaired driving among teens (2.92 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers involved in fatal crashes).

Top 10 Safest States for Teen Drivers

50. New Hampshire: 

New Hampshire maintains its position as the safest state for teen drivers with a score of 23.56, thanks to its strict traffic regulations and responsible driving behavior. It records lower-than-average percentages of fatalities involving young drivers (6.16% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (2.94% of all drivers).

49. New Jersey: 

New Jersey ranks second-safest with a score of 27.20, attributed to stringent traffic laws and effective enforcement. The state sees fewer fatalities involving young drivers (9.78% of traffic fatalities) and lower rates of teen involvement in fatal crashes (4.67% of all drivers).

48. New York: 

New York secures the third-safest spot with a score of 29.33, showcasing comprehensive traffic safety programs and strict law enforcement. It reports lower-than-average percentages of young driver fatalities (10.98% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (5.34% of all drivers).

47. Maryland: 

Maryland ranks as the fourth-safest state with a score of 30.84, owing to robust traffic safety regulations and effective enforcement. The state records fewer fatalities involving young drivers (10.28% of traffic fatalities) and lower rates of teen involvement in fatal crashes (4.00% of all drivers).

46. Hawaii: 

Hawaii secures the fifth-safest position with a score of 31.39, supported by stringent traffic laws and community-focused safety programs. It reports significantly lower percentages of young driver fatalities (6.90% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (3.64% of all drivers).

45. Rhode Island: 

Rhode Island ranks sixth-safest with a score of 31.97, reflecting its commitment to traffic safety and rigorous law enforcement. The state records below-average percentages of young driver fatalities (9.62% of traffic fatalities) and lower rates of teen involvement in fatal crashes (5.71% of all drivers).

44. Michigan: 

Michigan ranks seventh-safest with a score of 32.53, benefiting from robust traffic safety initiatives and stringent law enforcement. It sees slightly lower percentages of young driver fatalities (11.92% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (5.86% of all drivers).

43. Minnesota: 

Minnesota secures the eighth-safest spot with a score of 32.61, supported by comprehensive traffic safety programs and strong enforcement. The state reports lower-than-average percentages of young driver fatalities (12.84% of traffic fatalities) and significantly lower rates of impaired teen driving incidents (0.99 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers).

42. Wisconsin: 

Wisconsin ranks ninth-safest with a score of 32.77, owing to effective traffic safety regulations and enforcement. It records slightly lower percentages of young driver fatalities (11.74% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (6.05% of all drivers).

41. Washington: 

Washington rounds out the top ten safest states for teen drivers with a score of 32.77, showcasing proactive traffic safety programs and strict law enforcement. The state reports lower-than-average percentages of young driver fatalities (11.19% of traffic fatalities) and teen involvement in fatal crashes (5.48% of all drivers).

I invite you to explore the full study here for a deeper dive into the study and methodology.