School Safety

Driver Education

For adolescents and young adults ages 10 to 24, both nationally and in Tennessee, over three-quarters of unintentional injury deaths are motor vehicle-related. On the basis of miles driven, teenagers in this age group are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as are all drivers. Implementing strategies during adolescence to prevent motor vehicle crashes is critical to adult health and well being because young adults experience many of the same behavioral issues as adolescents.

Why Is Teen Driving So Dangerous?

Teen driving is relatively deadly due to a combination of inexperience, overconfidence, risk-taking behavior and greater risk exposure.

  • Teens have less experience behind the wheel than older drivers.
  • Teens are less likely to wear seatbelts than older drivers.
  • Teens are more likely to drive at night, with other teens as passengers, thus increasing the risks of distraction and the influence of peer pressure.

Additional Information