Maryland tops all states in teen driving safety

The latest numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal teen driver-related fatal accidents are on the increase. In 2015, young drivers were involved in1,186 fatal accidents, up nine percent from the previous year’s 1,723. Non-fatal accidents involving teen drivers also grew by 14 percent.

A stat considered “alarming, though not altogether unpredictable” revealed a higher rate of fatal crashes among older, more experienced teen drivers (19 to 20-years old) versus 16 to 17-years-olds, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

State-by-state statistics on teen driver safety shows some promising trends and sobering signs. For the second year in a row, Carinsurance.com conducted a “prom season” analysis of teen drivers by state. Their findings were based on five metrics:

• Number of teen driver fatalities (per 100,000 population)
• Effectiveness of Graduated Driving License (GDL) components
• Teen drinking and driving rates
• Teen emailing/texting and driving rates
• Average annual insurance costs for teen drivers, accounting for the risk level

Maryland leads the pack in having the safest driving environment for young drivers (.3 per 100,000 residents). New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts fill out the “top five.” Both Maryland and Massachusetts are the only states from the prior year’s “top three” to again reach that coveted designation.

Conversely, states with populations not nearly as dense make up the “bottom five.” Those include Montana, North Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming and Alabama. Montana and North Dakota are making their second appearance in the “worst of the worst” category.

For a teen, a driver’s license is a rite of passage. However, with that rite comes responsibility for maintaining high standards of safety on the roads. Accidents can change and end the lives of drivers and victims.