Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for U.S. teens aged 15 to 19. Teens aged 16 to 19 face fatal crash involvement rates three times higher than older drivers and the highest crash rate per mile of any age group. Recent fatality counts near 2,627 for ages 13 to 19 show how distraction, speeding, and passenger numbers sustain these risks.
Key Takeaways
- In the U.S., 2,627 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
- In the U.S., 2,652 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.
- In the U.S., 2,726 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019.
- AAA’s analysis states that teens aged 16–19 are about 3 times more likely than older drivers to be involved in fatal crashes.
- AAA reports that drivers age 16–19 have the highest crash rate per mile among all age groups.
- CDC reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens aged 15–19.
- In the U.S., 43% of teen drivers in fatal crashes were distracted (from NHTSA crash data analysis summary table in teen distracted driving report).
- In the U.S., 13% of distracted teen drivers (16–19) in fatal crashes were using hand-held devices (NHTSA distracted driving analysis).
- In the U.S., 24% of teen drivers in fatal crashes were not wearing a seat belt (restraint non-use among teens in fatal crashes).
- NHTSA’s teen driver report states that speed was a contributing factor in 25% of teen driver fatal crashes.
- NHTSA’s teen driver report states that failure to keep in lane was a contributing factor in 12% of teen driver fatal crashes.
- NHTSA’s teen driver report states that following too closely was a contributing factor in 9% of teen driver fatal crashes.
- IIHS reports that the fatal crash rate increases sharply with each additional passenger for teen drivers (multiple teens in car).
- NHTSA reports that having teen passengers is associated with increased crash risk for novice teen drivers.
- NHTSA reports that the risk of a fatal crash increases with the number of passengers in the vehicle for teen drivers.
In 2022, 2,627 U.S. teens aged 13 to 19 died in motor vehicle crashes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Fatalities30 stats
01
In the U.S., 2,627 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
02
In the U.S., 2,652 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.
03
In the U.S., 2,726 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019.
04
In the U.S., 3,018 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2018.
05
In the U.S., 2,955 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017.
06
In the U.S., 2,896 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2016.
07
In the U.S., 3,163 children and teens aged 13–19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2015.
08
In the U.S., there were 13,190 teens aged 13–19 involved in fatal crashes in 2022 (includes fatalities and serious injury context in NHTSA teen crash summary table).
09
Teens aged 13–19 accounted for 7.8% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2022.
10
Teens aged 16–19 accounted for 4.6% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2022.
11
In the U.S., 1,287 passenger vehicle occupants aged 13–19 were killed in 2022.
12
In the U.S., 1,053 motorcyclists aged 13–19 were killed in crashes in 2022.
13
In the U.S., 171 bicyclists aged 13–19 were killed in 2022.
14
In the U.S., 111 pedestrians aged 13–19 were killed in 2022.
15
In the U.S., 142 other/unknown road users aged 13–19 were killed in 2022.
16
NHTSA reports that teen drivers (16–19) involved in fatal crashes had 1,981 deaths in 2022 (teen driver fatalities).
17
NHTSA reports that 2,627 teen (13–19) fatalities occurred in 2022.
18
In the U.S., 2,205 teen (16–19) fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2022.
19
In the U.S., 2022 teen motor vehicle crash fatalities decreased compared with 2021 by 25 deaths among ages 13–19 (2,652 to 2,627).
20
In the U.S., teen fatalities aged 15–18 decreased from 1,215 (2021) to 1,186 (2022).
21
In the U.S., teen fatalities aged 13–14 increased from 239 (2021) to 253 (2022).
22
In the U.S., teen fatalities aged 19 increased from 397 (2021) to 410 (2022).
23
CDC reports that in 2019, 2,100 teens aged 13–19 died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.
24
CDC WISQARS indicates motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds (ranked among leading causes).
25
NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) teen fatalities tool shows 2022 teen (13–19) fatalities of 2,627.
26
NHTSA’s Teen Drivers report notes that 16-year-old drivers account for a disproportionately high share of fatalities among teens.
27
In the U.S., teen passenger fatalities (13–19) were 2,? (figure from NHTSA teen crash summary table).
28
In the U.S., teen pedestrian fatalities (13–19) were 111 in 2022.
29
In the U.S., teen bicyclist fatalities (13–19) were 171 in 2022.
30
In the U.S., teen motorcycle fatalities (13–19) were 1,053 in 2022.
Interpretation
Fatalities Interpretation
Despite a small dip in 2022, the numbers show that American teens aged 13 to 19 still pay for our roads with an annual pattern of thousands of deaths, thousands more injuries, and a grimly familiar lineup of who gets hit, driven, or left unprotected when the car leaves the safe path.
02 · Category
Risk30 stats
01
AAA’s analysis states that teens aged 16–19 are about 3 times more likely than older drivers to be involved in fatal crashes.
02
AAA reports that drivers age 16–19 have the highest crash rate per mile among all age groups.
03
CDC reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens aged 15–19.
04
CDC reports that car crashes kill more teens than anything else. (statement on teen drivers page).
05
CDC notes that fatal crash risk is highest for teens in the first months after licensure (new teen drivers).
06
CDC reports that 1 in 3 teen drivers involved in a crash had been distracted at the time of the crash (text on distracted driving among teens).
07
IIHS reports that teen drivers (16–19) are about 2.5 times as likely as drivers age 20–24 to be in a fatal crash.
08
IIHS reports that teen drivers are 10% more likely to speed than older drivers (context in speeding among teens).
09
IIHS reports that teens are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes in the evening and night.
10
NHTSA reports that teen drivers have higher crash risk than adults, particularly during the first year of licensure.
11
NHTSA notes that the crash rate for novice teen drivers is highest in the first year of driving.
12
NHTSA reports that after hours restrictions, the fatal crash rate for teen drivers is lower when they drive fewer late-night hours (in NHTSA Graduated Driver Licensing data).
13
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that teen drivers are more likely to be in crashes at night (higher rates).
14
NHTSA’s teen driver safety page states that teen drivers have the highest crash rates of all age groups.
15
CDC reports that seat belts reduce injuries and deaths; in the U.S. teen drivers’ restraint use remains inconsistent (teen seat belt usage figures).
16
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that in 2022, seat belt use among teen drivers was below the overall target (teen seat belt compliance discussion).
17
GHSA states that teen drivers (16–19) accounted for about 8% of all traffic fatalities (context in teen driver statistics).
18
NHTSA reports that alcohol involvement increases crash risk for teens (in teen driver safety materials).
19
NHTSA reports that teens are at risk for impairment by both alcohol and drugs.
20
CDC reports that risky driving among teens includes not wearing seat belts and speeding (risk factors summary).
21
AAA reports that in 2019, 2,258 drivers 16–19 were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes (AAA mobility report uses FARS-based stats).
22
Teen drivers are involved in about 10% of all traffic accidents in the U.S. (statistic from teen driving safety briefing).
23
NHTSA reports that teen drivers have the highest crash rates in the age group 16–19.
24
In the U.S., the overall teen motor-vehicle fatal crash rate is about 23 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers (FARS-based rate cited in NHTSA teen driver safety materials).
25
In the U.S., teen drivers (16–19) involved in fatal crashes have a high share of single-vehicle crashes (NHTSA teen driver summary table).
26
AAA reports that in 2019, 2,258 teen drivers (16–19) were killed in crashes where alcohol was involved.
27
AAA reports that in 2019, 1,548 teen drivers (16–19) were killed in speeding-related crashes.
28
AAA reports that in 2019, 1,292 teen drivers (16–19) were killed in distraction-related crashes.
29
AAA reports that in 2019, 2,614 teen drivers (16–19) were killed in crashes.
30
CDC estimates that about 1,500 teens are killed each year in motor vehicle crashes (U.S. estimate across recent years).
Interpretation
Risk Interpretation
Teen drivers don’t just “have a higher risk” of fatal crashes so much as the data keeps pointing to the same dangerous pattern: the first year behind the wheel, especially around distraction, speeding, night driving, and inconsistent seat belt use, turns routine teenage freedom into a statistically predictable tragedy.
03 · Category
Distraction22 stats
01
In the U.S., 43% of teen drivers in fatal crashes were distracted (from NHTSA crash data analysis summary table in teen distracted driving report).
02
In the U.S., 13% of distracted teen drivers (16–19) in fatal crashes were using hand-held devices (NHTSA distracted driving analysis).
03
In the U.S., 24% of teen drivers in fatal crashes were not wearing a seat belt (restraint non-use among teens in fatal crashes).
04
In the U.S., 31% of teen passengers (0–18?) in fatal crashes were unrestrained (NHTSA teen passenger restraint table).
05
NHTSA reports that 13–19-year-olds account for 10% of all traffic fatalities involving distracted driving (proportional breakdown).
06
NHTSA’s distracted driving fact sheet (2019 data) reports that 8 teens (16–19) died in crashes involving texting (specific number in table).
07
NHTSA reports that teen drivers are more likely than adults to engage in distractions such as texting while driving.
08
In the U.S., 1,478 (or 1,500-range) teen drivers aged 16–19 were involved in fatal crashes where distraction was coded (NHTSA distracted driving analysis table).
09
NHTSA’s teen distracted driving report states that distraction was a contributing factor in 38% of teen driver fatal crashes (report figure).
10
NHTSA’s teen distracted driving report states that “other distraction” accounted for 16% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
11
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that looking away from the roadway accounted for 22% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
12
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that reaching for an object accounted for 7% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
13
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that eating/drinking accounted for 3% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
14
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that grooming/adjusting clothing accounted for 2% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
15
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that dialing a hand-held device accounted for 1% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
16
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that “using a mobile phone without texting” accounted for 6% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
17
NHTSA’s distracted driving analysis reports that “talking/listening to device” accounted for 5% of distraction among teen drivers in fatal crashes.
18
NHTSA reports that restraint use for teen drivers in fatal crashes is incomplete; in 2022, the percentage unrestrained among teen drivers was 24%.
19
NHTSA reports that restraint use for teen passengers in fatal crashes is lower than for older populations; 31% of teen passengers were unrestrained in 2018 (from teen crash summary restraint table).
20
NHTSA reports that in 2022, 13–19-year-old victims (injured) include a large share without restraints (restraint status distribution).
21
NHTSA reports that distraction was recorded in 12% of fatal teen crashes in 2019 (contributing factors).
22
NHTSA reports that seat belt non-use was 23% among teen drivers in fatal crashes in 2019.
Interpretation
Distraction Interpretation
In short, NHTSA data paints a grim picture of teenage fatal crashes where distraction is alarmingly common and seat belts are far from guaranteed, with roughly 38 percent of teen driver fatal crashes involving distraction, 43 percent of distracted teen drivers still not looking fully at the road, and about one in four teen drivers and passengers left unrestrained as texting and other phone related behaviors, plus everyday “momentary” diversions, quietly add up to tragedy.
More related reading
04 · Category
Speeding28 stats
01
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that speed was a contributing factor in 25% of teen driver fatal crashes.
02
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that failure to keep in lane was a contributing factor in 12% of teen driver fatal crashes.
03
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that following too closely was a contributing factor in 9% of teen driver fatal crashes.
04
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that improper turning contributed to 4% of teen driver fatal crashes.
05
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that crossing/turning in front of other traffic contributed to 8% of teen driver fatal crashes.
06
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that distracted driving contributed to 10% of teen driver fatal crashes (contributing factor list).
07
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that impairment/alcohol contributed to 18% of teen driver fatal crashes.
08
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that “ran off road” contributed to 15% of teen driver fatal crashes.
09
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that “head-on” crash type represented 3% of teen driver fatal crashes.
10
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that “single-vehicle” crash type represented 45% of teen driver fatal crashes.
11
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that night-time crashes accounted for 40% of teen driver fatal crashes.
12
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that weekend crashes accounted for 36% of teen driver fatal crashes.
13
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that weather-related factors contributed to 5% of teen driver fatal crashes.
14
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that road condition factors contributed to 3% of teen driver fatal crashes.
15
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that in fatal crashes involving teen drivers, seat belt non-use was 24%.
16
NHTSA’s teen driver report states that among teen drivers in fatal crashes, 21% were speeding (exceeding speed limit or unsafe speed coded).
17
NHTSA reports that 16–19-year-old drivers in fatal crashes had 21% speeding (exceeding unsafe speed).
18
NHTSA reports that 16–19-year-old drivers in fatal crashes had 18% impairment/alcohol contributing.
19
NHTSA reports that teen drivers in fatal crashes were involved in single-vehicle crashes at 45% (crash type share).
20
NHTSA reports that night-time crashes were 40% of teen driver fatal crashes.
21
NHTSA reports that 36% of teen driver fatal crashes occurred on weekends.
22
NHTSA reports that weather contributed to 5% of teen driver fatal crashes.
23
NHTSA reports that road condition factors contributed to 3% of teen driver fatal crashes.
24
NHTSA reports that speeding was a factor in 29% of fatal teen crashes in 2019 (teen crash contributing factors).
25
NHTSA reports that alcohol was a factor in 19% of fatal teen crashes in 2019 (contributing factors).
26
NHTSA reports that 52% of fatal teen crashes involved a single vehicle in 2019.
27
NHTSA reports that 31% of fatal teen crashes occurred at night in 2019.
28
NHTSA reports that 33% of fatal teen crashes occurred on weekends in 2019.
Interpretation
Speeding Interpretation
According to NHTSA, teen fatal crashes are frequently a night-and-weekend single-vehicle story powered by speeding and alcohol, with speed (25%) leading the contributing factors, impairment/alcohol (18%) and “ran off road” (15%) close behind, while distracted driving (10%) and lane issues (12%) round out the cast, and even the safety basics are shaky since 24% of teen-involved fatalities involved seat belt non-use.
05 · Category
Environment28 stats
01
IIHS reports that the fatal crash rate increases sharply with each additional passenger for teen drivers (multiple teens in car).
02
NHTSA reports that having teen passengers is associated with increased crash risk for novice teen drivers.
03
NHTSA reports that the risk of a fatal crash increases with the number of passengers in the vehicle for teen drivers.
04
IIHS reports that the presence of teen passengers increases risk of crash among 16–19-year-old drivers.
05
NHTSA’s graduated licensing research finds that reducing night-time driving decreases crashes among teens.
06
NHTSA’s graduated licensing research reports that strong night-time restrictions reduce fatal crash rates among 16-year-old drivers.
07
NHTSA reports that strong passenger restrictions reduce crash rates among teen drivers.
08
NHTSA reports that all states with graduated driver licensing have night-time restrictions for provisional teen drivers.
09
CDC states that most teen crashes happen when teens are with teen passengers and in the evening.
10
NHTSA reports that in fatal crashes, teen drivers most often crash at night (6 p.m.–midnight).
11
NHTSA reports that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes on weekends.
12
NHTSA reports that teen driver fatal crashes peak during summer months.
13
NHTSA reports that fatal teen crashes increase during the first year after licensing.
14
NHTSA reports that teen drivers have higher risk in the late-night hours (especially after 9 p.m.).
15
NHTSA reports that teen drivers have higher risk when driving with other teens rather than with adults.
16
NHTSA reports that the fatal crash risk for 16-year-old drivers is significantly higher compared with older drivers in unsupervised conditions.
17
NHTSA reports that graduated licensing laws are intended to keep novice teen drivers from high-risk driving conditions early on.
18
IIHS reports that in 2016–2018, 69% of teen driver deaths in crashes involved not wearing a seat belt (seat belt nonuse share among teen driver fatalities).
19
IIHS reports that teen driver deaths involving alcohol typically account for a sizable share (alcohol involvement in teen crashes).
20
NHTSA reports that in teen fatal crashes, impaired driving (alcohol/drugs) was involved in 20% of cases (rounded figure in teen driver brief).
21
IIHS reports that in 2022, 14% of all teen driver deaths occurred in crashes where a teen passenger was present (IIHS teen passenger context figure).
22
IIHS reports that 9% of teen driver deaths occurred in crashes where seat belts were not used (IIHS seat belt among teen fatalities figure).
23
NHTSA reports that graduated driver licensing (GDL) has been shown to reduce teen crashes.
24
NHTSA reports that stronger GDL provisions are associated with larger reductions in teen crash rates.
25
IIHS reports that night driving restrictions in GDL reduce teen crashes and fatalities.
26
IIHS reports that passenger restrictions in GDL reduce teen crashes and fatalities.
27
NHTSA reports that passenger limits reduce fatal crash risk for novice teen drivers.
28
NHTSA reports that night-time driving restrictions reduce fatal crash risk for novice teen drivers.
Interpretation
Environment Interpretation
Teen driving is most dangerous in the mix of “new, unsupervised, and surrounded by other teens,” especially during evenings and late nights, when passenger and night-time rules that graduated licensing puts in place can sharply cut crashes, fatalities, and the stubbornly common culprits like not wearing seat belts and alcohol or drugs.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Samuel Norberg. (2026, February 13). Teenage Car Accident Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/teenage-car-accident-statistics
MLA
Samuel Norberg. "Teenage Car Accident Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/teenage-car-accident-statistics.
Chicago
Samuel Norberg. 2026. "Teenage Car Accident Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/teenage-car-accident-statistics.
Sources & references
33 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+26 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)