Outcomes of Variability in Teen Driving Experience and Exposure: Evidence from the Naturalistic Driving Study (BTS-23)

This research project used naturalistic driving data sources to evaluate how exposure to driving in more diverse traffic and road environments may be associated with teen driver behavior, performance indicators that lead to crashes, and other measures such as near-crashes, speeding, and observed distracted driving. The analysis considered changes in driver behavior and subsequent crash risk, and includes recommendations/strategies for improving teen driver safety.

Among other findings, researchers found:

• Teens with more supervised driving practice during the learner’s permit phase have fewer crashes.
• Practicing driving at night or on unfamiliar routes reduces risky behaviors.
• Many teens don’t meet the requirement for 45 hours of driving during the permit phase. Using tracking apps may improve compliance.
• Speeding is common on both low- and high-speed roads.
• Parental involvement after licensure is low but beneficial.

This research reaffirms the critical role that parents and guardians – who are teens’ primary driving teachers and coaches – play in helping them build the skills they need to be safe behind the wheel. Fatalities in crashes involving young drivers (age 15-20) are on the rise. According to NHTSA data, 5,588 people died in crashes involving a young driver in 2023. That’s up 4.2% from 2022 and 27.3% above the pre-pandemic 2019 level.

GHSA has long highlighted how influential parents and guardians are in the development of their children’s safe driving behaviors. Our 2023 report, Young Drivers and Traffic Fatalities: 20 Years of Progress on the Road to Zero, recommends that young drivers receive supervised practices under a range of weather conditions, at night, on different roadways and in different vehicles.