CTDOT Press Releases
10/16/2023
October 15-21 is National Teen Driver Safety Week
National Teen Driver Safety Week will be held this year from October 15-21, 2023. During this week, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourage parents to have serious conversations with their teenagers about staying safe behind the wheel.
In Connecticut in 2021, the last year of verifiable data, an estimated 1,000 teen drivers were injured in motor vehicle crashes, and an estimated 1,936 people were injured in crashes involving teen drivers, accounting for almost 6% of all those injured on the roadway that year.
“It is critical for parents and guardians to communicate with their children about safe driving, and set a positive example themselves,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "Teens are watching and listening, and constant reminders about these powerful messages will get through. All drivers have a serious responsibility once they are behind the wheel. Teens must know what these responsibilities are as a part of learning to drive.”
According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. In 2021, an estimated 94,201 teen passenger vehicle drivers were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and an estimated 170,083 people were injured in crashes involving a teen driver, accounting for almost 7% of all those injured on the roadway that year.
“Start the conversation today and continue with daily reminders and check-ins,” added Eucalitto.
Parents and guardians can influence teen's choices when they are behind the wheel. Take the time to have a conversation about some of the most significant driving risks for teens:
Impaired Driving: All teens are too young to buy, possess, or consume alcohol legally. However, nationally, in 2021, 19% of teen passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their system. But alcohol isn't the only substance that can keep your teen from driving safely.
Like other drugs, cannabis affects drivers' ability to react to their surroundings. Driving is complex, and cannabis slows reaction time, impacting a driver's ability to drive safely.
Remind your teen that driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including illicit or prescription drugs or over-the-counter medication — could be deadly.
Seat Belts: Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to be safe in a vehicle. Unfortunately, too many teens aren't buckling up. In 2021, 51% of the teen passenger vehicle drivers who died in crashes were unbuckled. Even more troubling, when the teen driver involved in the fatal crash was unbuckled, nine out of 10 passengers who died were also unbuckled.
Distracted Driving: Distractions while driving can be deadly. In 2021, among teen passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes, 7% reported that they were distracted at the time of the crash.
Speeding: In 2021, almost one-third (32%) of all teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash, and males were more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than females.
Passengers: The fallout from teen drivers transporting passengers can be tragic. Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases dramatically in direct correlation to the number of passengers in a vehicle. Teen drivers' likelihood of risky behavior triples when traveling with multiple passengers.
For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
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