Since most people learn how to drive as teenagers, teens are usually the most novice drivers on the road. Their inexperience behind the wheel can make them more susceptible to collisions, but it also means they are less familiar with the risk factors of driving. 2,148 young drivers lost their lives in traffic collisions in 2023, seeing a 5% increase from the previous year (NTHSA, 2025). It is our responsibility to enact change, preventing collisions and protecting current and future drivers.
At Safe Roads Challenge, we care about young drivers. We care about drivers being informed and practiced when operating a vehicle, practicing safe driving habits they’ll use for life. As experienced drivers, it’s our job to look out for these teens.
That’s why during National Teen Driver Safety Week, running October 19th to 25th, we’re encouraging parents, guardians, and adults to help educate teen drivers on the risks of driving. According to the NHTSA, the top three behavioral risk factors contributing to vehicle collisions in 2023 were alcohol-impaired driving (30%), speeding (29%), and lack of seat belt use (41%). In addition, factors like distracted driving, having additional passengers, and drowsy driving can further increase risks on the road and endanger your community.
To help educate teen drivers, take the time to discuss safe driver habits with teens in your life! Explain how inexperience paired with dangerous risk factors make teen drivers more susceptible to vehicle collisions, sometimes resulting in death or injury. Although these elements can make driving feel scary for a teen, empower teen drivers to practice their skills and take ownership of their driving behaviour! A few good tips to share with teen drivers include:
- Always wearing your seatbelt
- Calling a cab or a using a ridesharing app when under the influence
- Follow the posted speed limit (weather permitting)
- Practice your driving skills
- Only drive when awake and alert, pull over if you’re feeling drowsy
- Review your individual driving skills with the Safe Roads Challenge app
By using the Safe Roads Challenge app, teens are given daily reviews of their trips and encouraged to develop safe driving habits! When teens are working hard to get first place or enter to win a prize, they will reflect on what kind of driving earns high scores. Our app works to reward safe driving, helping teens develop a positive connotation with safe driving.
Together we can raise our community up! Safe driving benefits everyone, but most of all teen drivers during this National Teen Driver Safety Week! Happy safe driving and give some safe driving tips to a teen driver today!
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813736
