Parents often joke about their teens being a "hazard on the road," but fatal motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. In 2023, it accounted for nearly 50% of all teen deaths between the ages of 15-24. The fatal crash rate for 16- to 19-year-old drivers is almost three times higher than that of drivers 20 and older. Summertime proves the highest risk; the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. It’s time to stop dismissing teen accidents as a rite of passage and implement safety measures.

Teenagers are “wired to be bolder and underestimate risk because of their emotional immaturity, social pressures, and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex,” according to Vikas Keshri, MSW, RSW, a psychotherapist based in Toronto. The prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making) doesn’t finish developing until the mid-to-late 20s, teens are often associated with risky behaviors like speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and inconsistent seat belt use. Teens often lack the skills to make quick judgment calls, exacerbated by sleep deprivation and high emotions.

Parents can implement several strategies to help their teens stay safer on the road. Keshri suggests setting a strict technology curfew at night for distraction-free sleep and encouraging box breathing to calm their nervous system before driving. Box breathing involves inhaling through your nose while counting to four, holding your breath on a count of four, and then exhaling for the same amount.

Creating a parent-teen driving contract establishes expectations and teaches teens that “driving is a privilege, not a right,” says Keshri. The contract should consider the teen's wishes, as it’s an agreement, not just instructions. Contract elements include general driving rules, vehicle responsibilities, passenger restrictions, curfew, weather-related driving conditions, and communication protocols. Consequences for violations should be clear, including loss of driving privileges or restrictions.

Parents need to model good driving behavior. Keshri suggests creating routines in the car that center around distraction-free driving, like switching your phone to Car Mode. Maria Wojtczak, co-founder of DrivingMBA, agrees, adding that parents should avoid using their phones while driving if they don't want their teens doing the same.

In Australia, a law banned first-year drivers from driving at night with multiple peers, a situation that accounted for one-fifth of the country’s traffic fatalities. A 2024 study found that this initiative more than halved the targeted crashes, casualties, and deaths among Australian first-year drivers. Wojtczak encourages parents to have their teen drive solo for the first year after obtaining a license, especially during the “100 Deadliest Days.”

Operating a safe vehicle is another important factor. A new study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital found teens were more likely to drive cars older than 15 years and with fewer driver assistance technologies. Cars that were 6 to 15 years old had a 19% greater chance of driver death in a crash, while cars older than 15 years had a 31% increased risk, compared to driving cars 5 years old or newer. Each driver assistance technology installed reduced the chance of a fatal crash by 6%. Researchers advise parents to prioritize safety features and driver assistance technologies. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) offers a list of safe cars, and more frequent maintenance can improve the safety of older cars.

A driver training class can help your teen gain confidence by practicing their skills in a safe environment. Wojtczak says her classes focus on hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed, and space management. When choosing a driving school, she recommends visiting the school, asking questions, and making an informed decision.

If a teen makes a mistake behind the wheel, Keshri says to remain calm and engage in conversation with them at eye level. Inform them they aren’t in trouble and that you’ve made mistakes while driving, too, and you just want to listen to their side of the story. When parents validate their teens’ experiences without immediately offering solutions or criticism, they create a more trusting, open relationship.

Wojtczak says everyone learns to drive at their own pace, so it’s important not to emphasize “eligibility” but readiness. Teaching a teen to drive is an opportunity to spend 1:1 time with them.