Parents who encourage their teenagers to become licensed drivers often do so with a degree of trepidation. Driving a car is an awesome responsibility and inherently dangerous – especially when that driver is young and inexperienced.

One statistic underscores that reality – young drivers are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a fatal traffic crash than their older counterparts.

There is good news. A report released in October by the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA), is shedding light on a promising trend.

The GHSA report, Young Drivers and Traffic Fatalities: 20 Years of Progress on the Road to Zero, finds that crash and fatality rates for drivers under 21 have improved significantly over the last two decades. From 2002-2021 fatal crashes involving young drivers (age 20 and under) fell 38 percent. Over the same period, deaths of young drivers fell about 45 percent.

So why the sharp decline in fatal teen crashes?

The report points to several factors that led to the percentage drops. Among them are strong graduated driver licensing laws, expanded access to quality driver education and training, and the expansion of advanced driver assistance technology – countermeasures which AAA has lobbied for and promoted over decades.

It also noted that young people are less likely to drive today than they were 20 years ago, but that accounts for only a small portion of the large decreases. Calculating fatal crashes per 10,000 licensed drivers shows the rate fell 34 percent for drivers under 21.

This encouraging development is countered by a troubling trend – fatal crashes involving drivers 21 and older increased nearly 8 percent between 2002-2021 and deaths among that same group rose 11 percent over that period.

The work of traffic safety advocates must continue with renewed vigor.

A new report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety identifies six types of drivers by analyzing risky driver behavior. The most common dangerous behaviors are speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving. The annual Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI) survey developed these six driver profiles by examining patterns of self-reported risky driving behaviors among a large group of respondents:

Safe Drivers (41.2%) – Few in this group reported engaging in any risky driving-related behaviors, and more women (57%) composed the Safe Drivers group.

Speeding Drivers (22.7%) - These drivers reported driving 15mph over the speed limit on freeways and/or 10mph over on residential streets but did not engage in most other dangerous behaviors.

Distracted and Aggressive Drivers (17.3%) – Reported distracted driving behaviors (texting while driving), speeding, and aggressive behaviors, such as red-light running and switching lanes quickly.

Distracted Drivers (15%) – These drivers reported distracted driving behaviors such as reading text messages and texting while driving.

Most Dangerous Drivers (2.4%) – These drivers pose a serious risk to themselves and others as they reported engaging in all risky driving-related behaviors.

Impaired Drivers (1.3%) – These drivers were asked specifically about alcohol consumption and marijuana use.

View the technical report here.

The most troubling aspect of the TSCI survey is that drivers who acknowledged a particular behavior behind the wheel as dangerous still admitted to engaging in that risky behavior, with speeding being the most common.

AAA believes enforcement tactics - such as speeding tickets and license suspension - offer a significant deterrent to these risky and potentially fatal behaviors. However, drivers must also look in the mirror and hold themselves accountable.

In 2021, 63% of the people killed in crashes involving young drivers were their passengers, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists. The choices made behind the wheel - for drivers of all ages – have an impact on the safety of everyone on the road.

While young drivers are making strides, as reflected in the GHSA report, the road to zero traffic fatalities has many miles to go.