Car Accident Prevention

Car accident prevention begins with helping teens gain the experience and skills necessary to stay safe on the road. Statistics show that motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death for adolescents in the United States. Per mile driven, drivers ages 16 to 19 have crash rates approximately four times greater than those of drivers ages 20 and older. Fatal crash risk is highest for those ages 16 and 17.

Car accident prevention statistics show that there are three common critical errors newly licensed teen drivers make that lead to serious crashes: lack of scanning to detect and respond to hazards, driving too fast for road conditions, and being distracted by something inside or outside of the vehicle.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed and tested the TeenDrivingPlan Practice Guide to help parents provide their teen drivers with the quality, quantity, and diversity of driving practice to develop these critical skills.

CHOP researchers are developing other innovative injury prevention counseling resources for practitioners to share with families during well visits. Families should look to their teens' primary care pediatrician as a trusted source for this information.