GITNUXREPORT 2026

Car Crash Age Statistics

Young drivers and seniors have the highest fatal crash rates per mile driven.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

NHTSA 2022: 21-24 year olds 15% DUI fatal crashes

Statistic 2

IIHS 2023: Under 21 BAC .08+ crashes 25% higher rate

Statistic 3

UK 2022: 18-24 30% drink-drive convictions

Statistic 4

CDC 2021: Ages 21-34 40% alcohol-impaired deaths

Statistic 5

Australia 2023: 17-25 28% alcohol crashes

Statistic 6

California 2022: Young adults 18-24 22% DUI crashes

Statistic 7

EU 2021: Young drivers 18-24 35% alcohol positives

Statistic 8

Texas 2023: 21-29 26% DWI incidents

Statistic 9

Florida 2021: Males 25-34 high DUI rate

Statistic 10

Canada 2022: Under 25 20% impaired convictions

Statistic 11

NY 2023: 21-30 24% alcohol crashes

Statistic 12

Germany 2022: 18-25 32% alcohol accidents

Statistic 13

Japan 2021: Middle age 30-49 peak DUI

Statistic 14

Illinois 2023: Young 16-24 18% DUI arrests

Statistic 15

Sweden 2022: 20-29 27% alcohol-related

Statistic 16

Ohio 2021: 21-34 29% OVI crashes

Statistic 17

India 2023: Urban 25-35 15% alcohol crashes

Statistic 18

Michigan 2022: Under 21 21% alcohol crashes

Statistic 19

France 2021: 18-24 33% alcohol positives

Statistic 20

Pennsylvania 2023: Ages 21-29 25% DUI

Statistic 21

Brazil 2022: Young males 22% alcohol tests positive

Statistic 22

Virginia 2021: 20-29 23% DUI convictions

Statistic 23

Netherlands 2023: 18-24 26% drink driving

Statistic 24

Georgia 2022: 21-34 27% alcohol crashes

Statistic 25

Norway 2021: Under 25 19% impaired

Statistic 26

Washington 2023: Young adults high DUI rate

Statistic 27

Spain 2022: 18-25 31% alcohol accidents

Statistic 28

NHTSA 2023: Drivers 15-20 crash rate 150 per million miles driven

Statistic 29

IIHS 2022: Age 80+ rate 5x higher than 30-59 per mile

Statistic 30

UK 2021: 17-24 males 3.5 crashes per million miles

Statistic 31

CDC WISQARS: Ages 16-24 2x crash rate per mile

Statistic 32

Australia 2023: 18-24 4x rate vs over 40 per VMT

Statistic 33

California 2020: Teens 16-19 200 crashes per 100m miles

Statistic 34

EU CARE: Young drivers 18-24 2.8x rate per km

Statistic 35

Texas 2022: Elderly 70+ 120 per million miles

Statistic 36

Florida 2023: Seniors high rate per mile driven

Statistic 37

Canada 2021: Youth 16-19 3x national average per km

Statistic 38

NY 2022: 18-24 180 per million miles

Statistic 39

Germany 2021: Under 21 2.5x crash rate per km

Statistic 40

Japan 2023: Elderly 65+ 4x per km urban

Statistic 41

Illinois 2022: Young adults 2.2x rate per mile

Statistic 42

Sweden 2021: 17-24 3x per driven km

Statistic 43

Ohio 2023: 75+ 140 crashes per million miles

Statistic 44

India 2022: 18-30 2.8x urban per km

Statistic 45

Michigan 2021: Teens 190 per million miles

Statistic 46

France 2022: 18-24 3.1x national rate per km

Statistic 47

Pennsylvania 2023: Elderly elevated per VMT

Statistic 48

Brazil 2021: 15-24 3.5x per km

Statistic 49

Virginia 2022: 16-20 2.9x rate per mile

Statistic 50

Netherlands 2023: Seniors 75+ 3.8x per km

Statistic 51

Georgia 2022: Young drivers 2.7x per mile

Statistic 52

Norway 2021: 17-24 2.4x per km

Statistic 53

Washington 2023: Elderly high VMT rate

Statistic 54

Spain 2022: Under 25 3.2x crash rate km

Statistic 55

NHTSA 2021: Teens 16-20 12% distracted fatal crashes

Statistic 56

IIHS 2023: Drivers 18-20 4x phone use crash risk

Statistic 57

UK 2022: Under 30 40% mobile phone offences

Statistic 58

CDC 2023: Ages 18-24 25% texting crashes

Statistic 59

Australia 2021: 17-25 35% distraction crashes

Statistic 60

California 2023: Young drivers 28% cell phone citations

Statistic 61

EU 2022: 18-29 32% distraction involvement

Statistic 62

Texas 2021: 16-24 30% distracted crashes

Statistic 63

Florida 2022: Millennials high phone use crashes

Statistic 64

Canada 2023: Youth 16-24 38% distraction

Statistic 65

NY 2021: 18-34 29% phone-related crashes

Statistic 66

Germany 2023: Under 25 42% smartphone distraction

Statistic 67

Japan 2022: All ages but young higher texting

Statistic 68

Illinois 2021: Teens 26% distracted driving crashes

Statistic 69

Sweden 2023: 20-29 36% distraction factors

Statistic 70

Ohio 2022: 16-20 31% cell phone crashes

Statistic 71

India 2021: Urban youth 24% mobile distraction

Statistic 72

Michigan 2023: Under 25 33% distraction arrests

Statistic 73

France 2022: 18-24 39% phone use accidents

Statistic 74

Pennsylvania 2021: Young drivers 27% distracted

Statistic 75

Brazil 2023: 18-30 34% cell phone crashes

Statistic 76

Virginia 2022: 16-24 28% distraction citations

Statistic 77

Netherlands 2021: 18-27 41% smartphone crashes

Statistic 78

Georgia 2023: Young adults 32% distracted

Statistic 79

Norway 2022: Under 25 29% distraction

Statistic 80

Washington 2021: Teens high phone crash rate

Statistic 81

Spain 2023: 18-25 37% mobile distraction

Statistic 82

In 2021, US drivers aged 16-20 accounted for 9% of all fatal crashes despite being only 6.5% of licensed drivers

Statistic 83

UK data from 2022 shows 16-17 year olds had a fatal crash involvement rate of 4.2 per million licensed drivers

Statistic 84

In Australia 2020, drivers 17-24 years old were in 22% of fatal crashes

Statistic 85

NHTSA 2022: Drivers 75+ had 18 fatal crashes per 100,000 population vs 10 for ages 35-54

Statistic 86

IIHS 2021: Teen drivers (16-19) 3 times more likely to die in crash than 30+ drivers per mile driven

Statistic 87

CDC 2023: Ages 16-24 represent 14% of US driver deaths

Statistic 88

EU 2022: Drivers 18-24 in 15.7% fatal accidents

Statistic 89

California 2021: 15-20 year olds 12% of fatal crashes

Statistic 90

WHO 2023 global: Young drivers 15-24 27% road deaths

Statistic 91

Texas 2022: Drivers 16-25 19% fatal crashes

Statistic 92

Florida 2021: Elderly 70+ 17% fatal crash drivers

Statistic 93

Canada 2022: 16-19 year olds 13% fatal collisions

Statistic 94

NY 2023: Teens 16-19 8% fatal crashes

Statistic 95

Germany 2022: Under 21 drivers 11% fatal accidents

Statistic 96

Japan 2021: Elderly 65+ 20% fatal crash victims

Statistic 97

Illinois 2022: 18-24 year olds 16% fatal crashes

Statistic 98

Sweden 2023: Young drivers 18-24 12% road deaths

Statistic 99

Ohio 2021: Drivers 75+ fatal rate 22 per 100k licensed

Statistic 100

India 2022: Ages 18-30 35% fatal crashes urban

Statistic 101

Michigan 2023: Teens 11% fatal involvements

Statistic 102

France 2022: 18-24 drivers 16% killed

Statistic 103

Pennsylvania 2021: Elderly high fatal rate per mile

Statistic 104

Brazil 2023: Young males 15-24 30% fatalities

Statistic 105

Virginia 2022: 16-20 year olds 10% fatal crashes

Statistic 106

Netherlands 2021: Seniors 75+ 14% fatal victims

Statistic 107

Georgia 2023: Young drivers 21% fatal crashes

Statistic 108

Norway 2022: 17-24 year olds 15% road deaths

Statistic 109

Washington 2021: Elderly crash fatality rate high

Statistic 110

Spain 2023: Under 25 drivers 18% accidents fatal

Statistic 111

In 2021 US, 16-17 drivers injury crash rate 250 per million miles vs 80 for all ages

Statistic 112

IIHS 2022: Teens 16-19 4x injury crashes per mile than 40+

Statistic 113

UK 2023: 17-24 year olds 28% serious injury collisions

Statistic 114

CDC 2022: Ages 18-24 20% hospitalized crash injuries

Statistic 115

Australia 2021: Young drivers 15-24 25% injury crashes

Statistic 116

California 2022: Elderly 65+ injury rate 150 per 100k

Statistic 117

EU 2023: Drivers 18-24 22% serious injuries

Statistic 118

Texas 2023: 16-20 teens 18% injury crashes

Statistic 119

Florida 2022: Seniors 70+ 19% injury collisions

Statistic 120

Canada 2021: Youth 16-19 16% injury crashes

Statistic 121

NY 2022: Young adults 18-24 23% KSI crashes

Statistic 122

Germany 2023: Under 21 14% hospitalized injuries

Statistic 123

Japan 2022: Elderly 25% injury victims

Statistic 124

Illinois 2021: 18-24 21% injury crashes

Statistic 125

Sweden 2022: Young drivers 19% serious injuries

Statistic 126

Ohio 2023: Drivers 75+ injury rate 180 per 100k

Statistic 127

India 2021: Ages 20-30 32% injury crashes

Statistic 128

Michigan 2022: Teens 15% injury involvements

Statistic 129

France 2023: 18-24 24% injury accidents

Statistic 130

Pennsylvania 2022: Elderly injury high per mile

Statistic 131

Brazil 2022: Young 15-24 28% injuries

Statistic 132

Virginia 2023: 16-20 17% injury crashes

Statistic 133

Netherlands 2022: Seniors 16% serious injuries

Statistic 134

Georgia 2021: Young drivers 22% injury crashes

Statistic 135

Norway 2023: 17-24 20% injuries

Statistic 136

Washington 2022: Elderly injury rate elevated

Statistic 137

Spain 2021: Under 25 21% injury collisions

1/137

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Whether you're a teenager thrilled by your new freedom or a senior cherishing your independence, statistics reveal a stark reality: your age dramatically increases your risk of being involved in a serious car crash.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, US drivers aged 16-20 accounted for 9% of all fatal crashes despite being only 6.5% of licensed drivers
UK data from 2022 shows 16-17 year olds had a fatal crash involvement rate of 4.2 per million licensed drivers
In Australia 2020, drivers 17-24 years old were in 22% of fatal crashes
In 2021 US, 16-17 drivers injury crash rate 250 per million miles vs 80 for all ages
IIHS 2022: Teens 16-19 4x injury crashes per mile than 40+
UK 2023: 17-24 year olds 28% serious injury collisions
NHTSA 2023: Drivers 15-20 crash rate 150 per million miles driven
IIHS 2022: Age 80+ rate 5x higher than 30-59 per mile
UK 2021: 17-24 males 3.5 crashes per million miles
NHTSA 2022: 21-24 year olds 15% DUI fatal crashes
IIHS 2023: Under 21 BAC .08+ crashes 25% higher rate
UK 2022: 18-24 30% drink-drive convictions
NHTSA 2021: Teens 16-20 12% distracted fatal crashes
IIHS 2023: Drivers 18-20 4x phone use crash risk
UK 2022: Under 30 40% mobile phone offences

Young drivers and seniors have the highest fatal crash rates per mile driven.

Alcohol-Related by Age

NHTSA 2022: 21-24 year olds 15% DUI fatal crashes
IIHS 2023: Under 21 BAC .08+ crashes 25% higher rate
UK 2022: 18-24 30% drink-drive convictions
CDC 2021: Ages 21-34 40% alcohol-impaired deaths
Australia 2023: 17-25 28% alcohol crashes
California 2022: Young adults 18-24 22% DUI crashes
EU 2021: Young drivers 18-24 35% alcohol positives
Texas 2023: 21-29 26% DWI incidents
Florida 2021: Males 25-34 high DUI rate
Canada 2022: Under 25 20% impaired convictions
NY 2023: 21-30 24% alcohol crashes
Germany 2022: 18-25 32% alcohol accidents
Japan 2021: Middle age 30-49 peak DUI
Illinois 2023: Young 16-24 18% DUI arrests
Sweden 2022: 20-29 27% alcohol-related
Ohio 2021: 21-34 29% OVI crashes
India 2023: Urban 25-35 15% alcohol crashes
Michigan 2022: Under 21 21% alcohol crashes
France 2021: 18-24 33% alcohol positives
Pennsylvania 2023: Ages 21-29 25% DUI
Brazil 2022: Young males 22% alcohol tests positive
Virginia 2021: 20-29 23% DUI convictions
Netherlands 2023: 18-24 26% drink driving
Georgia 2022: 21-34 27% alcohol crashes
Norway 2021: Under 25 19% impaired
Washington 2023: Young adults high DUI rate
Spain 2022: 18-25 31% alcohol accidents

Alcohol-Related by Age Interpretation

It seems the world has soberly agreed that the "invincible" years of youth are statistically the most likely to end with a car and a cocktail catastrophically introduced.

Crash Rates per Mile

NHTSA 2023: Drivers 15-20 crash rate 150 per million miles driven
IIHS 2022: Age 80+ rate 5x higher than 30-59 per mile
UK 2021: 17-24 males 3.5 crashes per million miles
CDC WISQARS: Ages 16-24 2x crash rate per mile
Australia 2023: 18-24 4x rate vs over 40 per VMT
California 2020: Teens 16-19 200 crashes per 100m miles
EU CARE: Young drivers 18-24 2.8x rate per km
Texas 2022: Elderly 70+ 120 per million miles
Florida 2023: Seniors high rate per mile driven
Canada 2021: Youth 16-19 3x national average per km
NY 2022: 18-24 180 per million miles
Germany 2021: Under 21 2.5x crash rate per km
Japan 2023: Elderly 65+ 4x per km urban
Illinois 2022: Young adults 2.2x rate per mile
Sweden 2021: 17-24 3x per driven km
Ohio 2023: 75+ 140 crashes per million miles
India 2022: 18-30 2.8x urban per km
Michigan 2021: Teens 190 per million miles
France 2022: 18-24 3.1x national rate per km
Pennsylvania 2023: Elderly elevated per VMT
Brazil 2021: 15-24 3.5x per km
Virginia 2022: 16-20 2.9x rate per mile
Netherlands 2023: Seniors 75+ 3.8x per km
Georgia 2022: Young drivers 2.7x per mile
Norway 2021: 17-24 2.4x per km
Washington 2023: Elderly high VMT rate
Spain 2022: Under 25 3.2x crash rate km

Crash Rates per Mile Interpretation

A global chorus of crash data sings a grim duet: youth barrels in with brash inexperience while age exits stage left with fading faculties, proving that both the greenhorn and the greybeard are, mile for mile, a menace unto the asphalt.

Distracted Driving by Age

NHTSA 2021: Teens 16-20 12% distracted fatal crashes
IIHS 2023: Drivers 18-20 4x phone use crash risk
UK 2022: Under 30 40% mobile phone offences
CDC 2023: Ages 18-24 25% texting crashes
Australia 2021: 17-25 35% distraction crashes
California 2023: Young drivers 28% cell phone citations
EU 2022: 18-29 32% distraction involvement
Texas 2021: 16-24 30% distracted crashes
Florida 2022: Millennials high phone use crashes
Canada 2023: Youth 16-24 38% distraction
NY 2021: 18-34 29% phone-related crashes
Germany 2023: Under 25 42% smartphone distraction
Japan 2022: All ages but young higher texting
Illinois 2021: Teens 26% distracted driving crashes
Sweden 2023: 20-29 36% distraction factors
Ohio 2022: 16-20 31% cell phone crashes
India 2021: Urban youth 24% mobile distraction
Michigan 2023: Under 25 33% distraction arrests
France 2022: 18-24 39% phone use accidents
Pennsylvania 2021: Young drivers 27% distracted
Brazil 2023: 18-30 34% cell phone crashes
Virginia 2022: 16-24 28% distraction citations
Netherlands 2021: 18-27 41% smartphone crashes
Georgia 2023: Young adults 32% distracted
Norway 2022: Under 25 29% distraction
Washington 2021: Teens high phone crash rate
Spain 2023: 18-25 37% mobile distraction

Distracted Driving by Age Interpretation

Globally, the data screams that a young driver's phone is not a tool for the road but a statistically confirmed siren song, luring their attention away at a tragically predictable rate.

Fatal Crashes

In 2021, US drivers aged 16-20 accounted for 9% of all fatal crashes despite being only 6.5% of licensed drivers
UK data from 2022 shows 16-17 year olds had a fatal crash involvement rate of 4.2 per million licensed drivers
In Australia 2020, drivers 17-24 years old were in 22% of fatal crashes
NHTSA 2022: Drivers 75+ had 18 fatal crashes per 100,000 population vs 10 for ages 35-54
IIHS 2021: Teen drivers (16-19) 3 times more likely to die in crash than 30+ drivers per mile driven
CDC 2023: Ages 16-24 represent 14% of US driver deaths
EU 2022: Drivers 18-24 in 15.7% fatal accidents
California 2021: 15-20 year olds 12% of fatal crashes
WHO 2023 global: Young drivers 15-24 27% road deaths
Texas 2022: Drivers 16-25 19% fatal crashes
Florida 2021: Elderly 70+ 17% fatal crash drivers
Canada 2022: 16-19 year olds 13% fatal collisions
NY 2023: Teens 16-19 8% fatal crashes
Germany 2022: Under 21 drivers 11% fatal accidents
Japan 2021: Elderly 65+ 20% fatal crash victims
Illinois 2022: 18-24 year olds 16% fatal crashes
Sweden 2023: Young drivers 18-24 12% road deaths
Ohio 2021: Drivers 75+ fatal rate 22 per 100k licensed
India 2022: Ages 18-30 35% fatal crashes urban
Michigan 2023: Teens 11% fatal involvements
France 2022: 18-24 drivers 16% killed
Pennsylvania 2021: Elderly high fatal rate per mile
Brazil 2023: Young males 15-24 30% fatalities
Virginia 2022: 16-20 year olds 10% fatal crashes
Netherlands 2021: Seniors 75+ 14% fatal victims
Georgia 2023: Young drivers 21% fatal crashes
Norway 2022: 17-24 year olds 15% road deaths
Washington 2021: Elderly crash fatality rate high
Spain 2023: Under 25 drivers 18% accidents fatal

Fatal Crashes Interpretation

From Arizona to Zurich, the sobering arithmetic of the road reveals that youth may have speed but lacks experience, while age has wisdom but may lack reaction time, creating two distinct and dangerous peaks in the fatal crash curve.

Injury Crashes

In 2021 US, 16-17 drivers injury crash rate 250 per million miles vs 80 for all ages
IIHS 2022: Teens 16-19 4x injury crashes per mile than 40+
UK 2023: 17-24 year olds 28% serious injury collisions
CDC 2022: Ages 18-24 20% hospitalized crash injuries
Australia 2021: Young drivers 15-24 25% injury crashes
California 2022: Elderly 65+ injury rate 150 per 100k
EU 2023: Drivers 18-24 22% serious injuries
Texas 2023: 16-20 teens 18% injury crashes
Florida 2022: Seniors 70+ 19% injury collisions
Canada 2021: Youth 16-19 16% injury crashes
NY 2022: Young adults 18-24 23% KSI crashes
Germany 2023: Under 21 14% hospitalized injuries
Japan 2022: Elderly 25% injury victims
Illinois 2021: 18-24 21% injury crashes
Sweden 2022: Young drivers 19% serious injuries
Ohio 2023: Drivers 75+ injury rate 180 per 100k
India 2021: Ages 20-30 32% injury crashes
Michigan 2022: Teens 15% injury involvements
France 2023: 18-24 24% injury accidents
Pennsylvania 2022: Elderly injury high per mile
Brazil 2022: Young 15-24 28% injuries
Virginia 2023: 16-20 17% injury crashes
Netherlands 2022: Seniors 16% serious injuries
Georgia 2021: Young drivers 22% injury crashes
Norway 2023: 17-24 20% injuries
Washington 2022: Elderly injury rate elevated
Spain 2021: Under 25 21% injury collisions

Injury Crashes Interpretation

This global chorus of car crash data sings a distressingly clear tune: while the elderly face elevated per-mile risk, it is the exuberant inexperience and perhaps perilous bravado of youth that consistently turns the road into a statistically terrifying theater, painting every developed nation’s highways with a starkly higher brushstroke of young adult injuries.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev