Rite of Passage: Teen Drivers Statistically Are Accident-Prone. What Do They Need to Know to Stay Safe?

Photograph by Jackson Green

For a lot of teens, getting their driver’s license is a symbol of independence. The ability to go wherever they want to go, listen to the music they like at any volume, and have a car they can call their own all factor into the idea of independence. 

But behind all those feelings of freedom is the central truth that teen drivers get into more accidents than nearly any other age group.

Experts say one of the main problems is that teens generally don’t know the risks involved in participating in activities like texting while driving. According to the CDC, car crashes are the second leading cause of death for teens in the United States, with distractions and lack of awareness of surroundings playing huge roles. 

In 2021, according to Oklahoma Highway Safety Office data, teen drivers were involved in 68 crashes in which 82 people were killed. Drivers over 65 were responsible for more car crashes and deaths, but there are far more drivers in this age group, which partly accounts for the higher totals. Teen drivers were responsible for nearly 10% of all crashes in 2021.

Epic junior and newly licensed driver Rylee Byers said she understands how teens could be unaware of how dangerous driving — and, with it, activities such as texting — can be. 

“I definitely think teens are reckless,” Byers said. “There are many teens who die because they’re texting or not paying attention, and you just have to be smarter when you drive.”

Byers also said she feels teens get a sense of freedom that causes excitement but can involve a lot of risk.

Infographic by John Williams

“I think teens get this feeling of freedom when they get their license, and that can be dangerous if it’s not handled properly,” she added.

The Broken Arrow teen approaches driving with a centered and disciplined mindset as she keeps distractions away. Chief among these potential distractions are cellphones. 

“I stay off my phone while driving. I might check the time for a second, but I don’t use it while I’m driving,” she said. 

She also gave this advice to new drivers: “You just have to block out all distractions and understand that you are accountable for your surroundings, so things like not being on your phone at red lights and not doing unnecessary things like makeup will do us all better on the road.”

While many teens understand the importance of safe driving, others aren’t as knowledgeable and cautious. 

Sgt. Eric Kirby, who is a traffic safety educator with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and works with new drivers, said distractions are one of the main causes of accidents in this age group.

“Some of the most common factors of teen car crashes are phones, messing with the radio, trying to eat while driving or friends being loud in the car," he said. 

But he also pointed out that issues may run deeper than technology, something he attributed to family attitudes. 

“One of the hardest things is when a teen or child makes the statement, ‘My parents never cared if they were in seatbelts, so why should I care?’ Or when they say their family thinks it’s not important, or that they’ll get hurt with or without it on, so why does it matter?” Kirby explained. 

Kirby also had advice for teen drivers. 

“The advice I would give is put the phones down. Make rules in your car and stay true to them,” he said. “As parents and educators, we hope that everything we talk to our kids about sticks in their mind and they stay safe while driving, but at the same time, they can teach their friends and younger family members to stay safe, too.”

At the end of the day, driving is something that people should take pride and enjoyment in. It can give that sense of freedom and accomplishment, but teens must always remember that driving comes with real responsibility that goes far beyond simply knowing the rules of the road. Making smart decisions, even when they seem small, is critical. 

Whether it be turning the music down, driving with no music, putting the phone away or telling others to be more quiet when they are in your car, there are ways to block out distractions while driving. 

The reality is, driving isn’t just about you. You also have a responsibility to protect everyone else who shares the road.