1 in 8 Fatal Car Crashes since 2010 Involved Teens, but Fatalities fell by 14%

Rhea-AI Summary

According to a ValuePenguin.com analysis, drivers aged 15-20 were involved in 13% of fatal crashes from 2010 to 2019, resulting in 41,187 incidents and 10% of related fatalities in the U.S. Notable states for high young driver fatality rates include Nebraska, Utah, and Kansas, while states like Maryland and Hawaii reported lower rates. However, fatalities among young drivers have decreased significantly, with states like Maine and New Hampshire seeing drops of up to 54%. The analysis highlights the importance of educating young drivers about safety and the financial repercussions of accidents.

Positive

• Yearly fatal crashes involving young drivers have decreased since 2010.
• Some states have seen significant reductions in fatalities, with Maine and New Hampshire reporting declines of 43% to 54%.

Negative

• Drivers aged 15-20 were involved in 1 in 8 fatal crashes over the past decade.
• Young drivers accounted for 10% of total fatalities in car crashes.

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Young drivers aged 15-20 were involved in 1 in every 8 fatal crashes over the past decade, according to a new ValuePenguin.com analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). And while the number is still worryingly high - the yearly number of fatal crashes involving the youngest drivers has fallen since 2010.

Key Findings:

• Drivers aged 15 to 20 were behind the wheel in 13% of fatal auto crashes in the past decade and accounted for 10% of Americans killed in deadly crashes. From 2010 to 2019 - the latest year of data available - young drivers were behind the wheel in 41,187 fatal crashes.
• Nebraska, Utah, Kansas, Idaho and Montana topped the country for the highest percentage of fatal crashes with young drivers behind the wheel since 2010. Maryland, Hawaii, Rhode Island and New Jersey had the lowest percentage of fatal crashes with young drivers behind the wheel since 2010
• Additionally Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, Idaho and Kansas also had the largest share of 15-20 year old fatalities in car crashes. In Delaware,Rhode Island, New Jersey, Nevada, and Oregon this age range accounted for 8-9% of roadway fatalities, the lowest in the U.S.
• Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, North Dakota and New York saw the steepest drop in young and teen driver fatalities over the past decade - fatalities here have fallen a tremendous 43% to 54% since 2010. Nevada, Alaska and Oregon saw teen driver fatalities increase 29% to 58% since 2010.

According to Andrew Hurst, Insurance Data analyst at ValuePenguin.com, "On National Teen Driver safety week - these findings underscore the importance of educating teens and young drivers about safe driving." He adds, "In addition to safety, young drivers face steep financial penalties for unsafe driving. In addition to costly repairs, an 18-year-old driver's car insurance rates will increase by an average of 253% after an accident."

To view the full report, visit: https://www.valuepenguin.com/car-accidents-young-drivers

ValuePenguin researchers calculated the number of deaths and fatal crashes involving young people ages 15 to 20 as drivers and passengers. This analysis covers 2010 to 2019 — the most recently available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Analysts also looked at insurance rate data for 18-year-old drivers before and after an accident. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings.

How Does Your State Fare for Teen Driver Fatalities?
State	Young Drivers' Share of fatal crashes	Young Drivers and Passengers' Share of deaths	Increase/Decrease in Fatal Crashes since 2010
Nebraska	16.30%	13%	-3%
Utah	16.00%	11%	-9%
fKansas	15.70%	12%	-27%
Idaho	15%	12%	-13%
North Dakota	14%	10%	-47%
Iowa	14%	12%	-43%
Minnesota	14%	10%	-41%
South Dakota	14%	11%	-33%
Ohio	14%	11%	-28%
Indiana	14%	11%	-22%
Oklahoma	14%	11%	-21%
Mississippi	14%	11%	-19%
Michigan	14%	10%	-18%
Alabama	14%	11%	-18%
Wisconsin	14%	10%	-11%
Missouri	14%	12%	-8%
Texas	14%	11%	-5%
Montana	14%	12%	7%
Colorado	14%	11%	16%
Pennsylvania	13%	10%	-38%
Washington	13%	11%	-31%
North Carolina	13%	10%	-27%
Louisiana	13%	11%	-25%
Illinois	13%	10%	-21%
South Carolina	13%	10%	-17%
Georgia	13%	10%	-7%
New Mexico	13%	10%	6%
Tennessee	13%	10%	6%
Alaska	13%	11%	43%
Maine	12%	11%	-54%
New Hampshire	12%	10%	-53%
West Virginia	12%	9%	-40%
Kentucky	12%	9%	-38%
Virginia	12%	10%	-22%
Wyoming	12%	10%	-13%
Delaware	12%	8%	0%
Florida	12%	9%	7%
California	12%	11%	8%
Arkansas	12%	10%	11%
Arizona	12%	10%	16%
Rhode Island	11%	9%	-50%
New York	11%	10%	-43%
Massachusetts	11%	10%	-42%
Vermont	11%	11%	-33%
New Jersey	11%	9%	-20%
Connecticut	11%	10%	7%
Nevada	11%	9%	29%
Oregon	11%	9%	58%
Maryland	10%	10%	-23%
Hawaii	10%	12%	-21%
District of Columbia	7%	12%	Insufficient Data

About ValuePenguin.com:. ValuePenguin.com and its parent company, LendingTree® (NASDAQ: TREE), have a common mission: to empower consumers with tools, information, and resources to help them make smarter, more informed financial decisions. For more information, please visit www.valuepenguin.com, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @ValuePenguin.

Media Contact:
Divya Sangam (Ms.)
646 693 8445
Divya@lendingtreenews.com

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SOURCE ValuePenguin.com

FAQ

What percentage of fatal car crashes involved young drivers aged 15-20?

Young drivers aged 15-20 were involved in 13% of fatal car crashes from 2010 to 2019.

Which states had the highest fatality rates for young drivers?

Nebraska, Utah, Kansas, Idaho, and Montana reported the highest percentages of fatal crashes involving young drivers.

How many fatal crashes involved young drivers in the past decade?

From 2010 to 2019, young drivers were involved in 41,187 fatal crashes.

How much have fatalities involving young drivers dropped?

Young driver fatalities have decreased significantly, with some states reporting drops of up to 54%.

What financial impacts do accidents have on young drivers?

An 18-year-old driver's car insurance rates can increase by an average of 253% after an accident.