You might be shocked to learn that a driver's age is the single biggest predictor of their risk on the road, with teenagers facing fatality rates nearly triple the national average while seniors over 85 experience crash rates four times higher than middle-aged drivers.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, drivers aged 16-20 accounted for 8.9% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes while representing only 6.5% of licensed drivers
- Teen drivers aged 16-17 had a crash rate of 37 per million miles driven in 2020, three times higher than drivers over 20
- In 2022, 2,451 drivers aged 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes, representing 12% of all driver fatalities
- Drivers aged 25-34 represented 24% of all fatal crash drivers in 2021
- 25-44 year olds had 11.2 fatalities per 100,000 population in 2022
- Males 30-39 in fatal crashes outnumbered females 3:1 in 2021 data
- Drivers aged 65+ accounted for 18% of fatal crash drivers in 2021, despite 17% of population
- Fatality rate for 75-79 drivers: 15.2 per 100,000 vs 10.1 average, 2022
- 70-79 year olds had 1.9 times higher at-fault crash rates per mile, 2021
- In 2021, children under 14 were 12% of pedestrian fatalities
- Pedestrians aged 15-19 had 4.2 fatalities per 100,000 in urban areas, 2022
- Seniors 65+ were 20% of pedestrian deaths despite 17% population, 2021
- In 2021, child passengers 0-7 were 8% of rear-seat fatalities
- Teen passengers 13-17 increased driver crash risk 62%, 2022 data
- Seniors 65+ passengers: 22% of occupant deaths despite low mileage, 2021
Teen drivers face the highest crash risk, which significantly declines with experience and age.
Adult Drivers (25-64)
- Drivers aged 25-34 represented 24% of all fatal crash drivers in 2021
- 25-44 year olds had 11.2 fatalities per 100,000 population in 2022
- Males 30-39 in fatal crashes outnumbered females 3:1 in 2021 data
- Drowsy driving implicated in 18% of 25-34 fatal crashes in 2020
- 2022: 25-64 drivers in 62% of work-zone fatal crashes
- Speeding-related fatalities for 35-44: 28% of their total crashes in 2021
- Commercial drivers 25-54 had 7.2 fatal crashes per 100 million miles in 2022
- 40-49 year olds comprised 15% of DUI fatal drivers despite 18% population share, 2021
- Rear-end crashes peaked at age 25-34 with 22% involvement rate in 2020
- 2021 insurance data: Average crash cost for 30-39 drivers $3,800
- Urban 25-44 drivers had 1.5 times higher multi-vehicle crash rates, 2022
- 55-64 year olds saw 14% rise in fatal crashes 2019-2021 due to telework
- Distracted driving for 25-34: 25% of police-reported crashes in 2020
- Fatal rollover rate for SUVs driven by 35-44: 12 per million registered, 2021
- 45-54 drivers in 19% of intersection fatalities, 2022
- Motorcycle fatalities for 25-44 riders: 42% of total, highest group, 2021
- 2020: 25-64 accounted for 68% of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths
- Seatbelt non-use in 30-39 fatal crashes: 48% efficacy gap, 2022
- Rural fatal rate for 25-54: 15.8 per 100M miles vs 9.2 urban, 2021
- 25-34 drivers 2.1 times more likely in fatal truck crashes, 2020
- 2022 claims: 40-49 group had highest whiplash injury rates
- Alcohol involvement in 25-44 fatal crashes: 32% vs 28% average, 2021
- 50-64 drivers saw 11% increase in pedestrian strikes, 2019-2022
- Head-on collision rate peaked at 35-44 age in 2020 data
- 2021: 25-64 in 57% of large truck fatal involvements
- Fatigue-related crashes for shift workers 25-54: 22% higher, 2022
- 55-64 had lowest crash rate per mile but highest severity, 2021
Adult Drivers (25-64) Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim portrait of the modern driver's midlife crisis, where the pressures of career, family, and distraction collide on the road with deadly consequences, proving that experience doesn't always equate to safety.
Passengers by Age
- In 2021, child passengers 0-7 were 8% of rear-seat fatalities
- Teen passengers 13-17 increased driver crash risk 62%, 2022 data
- Seniors 65+ passengers: 22% of occupant deaths despite low mileage, 2021
- Adult passengers 25-44: 31% of total passenger fatalities, 2020
- Children under 13 unbelted in 42% fatal crashes, 2022
- 2021: 15-20 passengers in 14% of teen driver fatal crashes
- Elderly passengers 75+: 3.1 times higher fatality risk per crash, 2020
- Multiple teen passengers raised fatality odds 92%, 2022
- 35-54 passengers alcohol-related deaths: 35% of group total, 2021
- Rear seat adult passengers 18-34 had 25% higher injury rates unseated, 2020
- 2022: Under-5 passengers 91% survival with proper car seats
- Senior passengers 65-74: 18% fatalities from side impacts, 2021
- Young adult passengers 21-24: 27% of DUI crash deaths, 2020
- Child booster seat misuse in 5-8 year olds: 72% improper, injury up 75%, 2022
- 45-64 passengers highest in truck crash fatalities, 23%, 2021
- Nighttime passenger fatalities for 16-24: 48% unseated, 2020
- 2021: Infants 0-1 year 2.4x risk if front-seated
- Adult passengers 30-49: 19% rollover deaths, 2022
- 70+ passengers survival 38% lower in multi-vehicle crashes, 2021
- Teen passengers distracted drivers: risk up 40%, 2020 study
- 25-34 passengers 2.1x injury rate in speed-related crashes, 2022
- Child 8-12 belt fit issues caused 55% higher injury risk, 2021
- 55-64 passengers 16% of drowsy driving fatalities, 2020
- Rear-facing seats reduced infant deaths 70%, 2022 data
- Senior passengers air bag interactions fatal in 12% low-speed, 2021
Passengers by Age Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim, age-by-age portrait of passenger vulnerability, showing that from improper restraints in childhood and the perilous influence of teen passengers to the heightened fragility of our elders, every stage of life carries its own distinct and often preventable risk on the road.
Pedestrians by Age
- In 2021, children under 14 were 12% of pedestrian fatalities
- Pedestrians aged 15-19 had 4.2 fatalities per 100,000 in urban areas, 2022
- Seniors 65+ were 20% of pedestrian deaths despite 17% population, 2021
- Children 5-9 had highest pedestrian crash rates near schools, 8.1 per 100k, 2020
- Nighttime pedestrian fatalities for 16-24: 55% of total, 2022
- Alcohol-involved pedestrian deaths for adults 21-34: 38%, 2021
- 2020: Pedestrians 70+ struck at intersections 42% less survivable
- Young pedestrians 0-14: 18% of fatalities but 25% of injuries, 2022
- Dark clothing increased risk 65% for 25-44 pedestrians at night, 2021
- 2021 data: 45-64 pedestrians 22% of total fatalities
- Children under 5: 1.3 fatalities per 100k, highest toddler rate, 2020
- 65-74 pedestrians had 2.8 times higher death rate per crash, 2022
- Rural pedestrian fatalities for 15-24: 12 per 100k pop, 2021
- 2020: 75+ pedestrians 28% less likely to be seen by drivers
- Phone distraction in 18-24 pedestrian crashes: 14% factor, 2022
- Mid-block crossings fatal for 35-54: 31% of incidents, 2021
- 2021: Under-15 pedestrians 9% fatalities, 22% hospitalized injuries
- Seniors 80+: 5.6 fatalities per 100k, highest age-specific rate, 2020
- SUV strikes on child pedestrians: 78% more lethal, 2022 study
- 25-34 pedestrians alcohol positive in 42% fatalities, 2021
- 2022: 16-20 pedestrians 3.2 times riskier in low-light
- 50-64 group: 19% pedestrian deaths, rising 50% since 2010
- Infants 0-4: 70% fatalities from backing vehicles, 2021
- 65+ pedestrians survival rate 45% lower post-crash, 2020
- Teen 13-15 jaywalking crashes up 15% 2019-2022
- 30-39 pedestrians highest non-intersection fatalities, 28%, 2021
Pedestrians by Age Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim, age-staggered map of vulnerability, where a child's walk to school, a teenager's night out, and an elder's trip to the store each carry their own statistically grim signature of risk, proving that from stroller to sunset years, our streets remain perilously indifferent to the simple act of walking.
Senior Drivers (65+)
- Drivers aged 65+ accounted for 18% of fatal crash drivers in 2021, despite 17% of population
- Fatality rate for 75-79 drivers: 15.2 per 100,000 vs 10.1 average, 2022
- 70-79 year olds had 1.9 times higher at-fault crash rates per mile, 2021
- Intersection crashes for 65+: 28% of their fatal involvements, 2020
- Drivers 85+ had crash rates 4 times higher than 30-59 peers per mile, 2021
- Nighttime fatal rate for 65-74: 2.3 times daytime per mile, 2022
- 2021: Seniors 65+ in 22% of fixed-object fatal crashes
- Medical events preceded 12% of 75+ fatal crashes in 2020
- Left-turn failures caused 53% of senior driver fatal crashes, 2021
- 65-69 drivers had 9.8 fatalities per billion miles driven, 2022
- Vision impairment linked to 15% higher crash risk for 70+, 2021 study
- 2020: 65+ drivers 1.6 times more likely in side-impact fatalities
- Pedestrian fatalities where senior driver at fault: 19% in 2022
- Medication use contributed to 18% of 80+ crashes, 2021
- Fatal crash rate per licensed driver for 85+: 28 per 100,000, 2020
- 65-74 saw 16% rise in crashes post-COVID, 2021
- Run-off-road crashes for 75+: 31% of total, 2022
- 2021 insurance: Average repair cost for 65+ crashes $3,200
- Dementia screening reduced at-fault crashes 22% for 70+, study 2020
- Head-on collisions for seniors: 2.4 times average severity, 2021
- 65+ in 14% of motorcycle-passenger fatal crashes as drivers, 2022
- Alcohol rare but 65+ BAC>0.08 in 8% fatal crashes, 2021
- Adaptive equipment users 70+ had 35% lower crash rates, 2020
- Rural senior fatal rate: 17.2 per 100M miles, 2022
- 75-84 drivers 3 times more likely in wrong-way crashes, 2021
Senior Drivers (65+) Interpretation
While their wisdom may be unmatched on solid ground, the data reveals that when navigating the modern roadway's complex dance, many senior drivers—facing challenges from vision to medication to slower reflexes—become tragically out of step, leading to a disproportionate and often severe toll on themselves and others.
Young Drivers (16-24)
- In 2021, drivers aged 16-20 accounted for 8.9% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes while representing only 6.5% of licensed drivers
- Teen drivers aged 16-17 had a crash rate of 37 per million miles driven in 2020, three times higher than drivers over 20
- In 2022, 2,451 drivers aged 15-20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes, representing 12% of all driver fatalities
- Males aged 18-19 had a fatal involvement rate 2.5 times higher than females in the same age group in 2021
- Nighttime fatal crashes for 16-19 year olds were 4 times higher than daytime rates per mile driven in 2020
- Drivers 16-19 were involved in 19% of fatal crashes with speeding in 2021
- In 2019, 16-year-old drivers had 4.4 crashes per 1,000 drivers, highest among all ages
- Young drivers 18-24 comprised 21% of DUI-related fatal crashes in 2022 despite being 13% of population
- Crash risk for novice drivers under 21 drops 40% after first year of licensure
- In 2021, 16-20 year olds had 15.2 fatalities per 100,000 population vs 10.1 national average
- Distracted driving caused 29% of fatal crashes for 15-20 year olds in 2020
- Multi-vehicle crashes involving 16-19 drivers rose 12% from 2019-2021
- 21% of 18-24 year old drivers in fatal crashes had prior violations in 2022
- Fatal rollover rates for 16-20 drivers were 25% higher than average in 2021
- In urban areas, 16-19 drivers had 2.8 times higher intersection crash rates in 2020
- 2022 data shows 16-24 year olds in 14% of pedestrian-involved fatal crashes
- Single-vehicle fatal crashes for under-21 drivers accounted for 42% of their total fatalities in 2021
- Helmet non-use in motorcycle crashes for 18-24 riders contributed to 68% of fatalities in 2020
- 2021 insurance claims show 16-19 drivers had $4,200 average crash cost, highest group
- Rear-end crash involvement for 20-24 year olds was 1.8 times average in 2022
- In 2019, 17-year-olds had 50% higher violation rates leading to crashes
- Fatal crashes per licensed driver for 16-19: 4.2 per 100,000 in 2021
- 2020 data: 16-24 drivers 27% more likely to swerve off road fatally
- Peer passengers increased crash risk 85% for 16-17 drivers in 2021
- 19% of 18-20 fatal crashes involved cell phone use in 2022
- Rural fatal crash rate for 16-24: 18.3 per 100 million miles vs 12.1 urban, 2021
- 2022: Under-21 drivers in 22% of run-off-road fatal crashes
- Graduation licensing reduced teen fatal crashes 26% where implemented
- 16-19 drivers had 3.1 times higher rates of fatal intersection crashes in 2020
- In 2021, 15-19 year olds accounted for 11% of all motor vehicle occupant deaths
Young Drivers (16-24) Interpretation
The statistics scream that youth, inexperience, and questionable choices form a perfect storm behind the wheel, turning the freedom of a driver's license into a starkly overrepresented tragedy in the fatality reports.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NHTSAnhtsa.govVisit source
- Reference 2IIHSiihs.orgVisit source
- Reference 3CRASHSTATScrashstats.nhtsa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 4WWW-NRDwww-nrd.nhtsa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 5CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 6GHSAghsa.orgVisit source
- Reference 7FMCSAfmcsa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 8IIIiii.orgVisit source
- Reference 9FHWAfhwa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 10SAFETYsafety.fhwa.dot.govVisit source
- Reference 11WORKZONESAFETYworkzonesafety.orgVisit source
- Reference 12AOAaoa.orgVisit source
- Reference 13SAFERIDE4KIDSsaferide4kids.comVisit source