Kentucky continues to be the most dangerous state for adolescent drivers. According to Value Penguin, teenage motorists in the Bluegrass State are 16% more likely to die in a car crash than those in other parts of the country.
The study took data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which included the number of people ages 16-19 killed in automobile collisions.
Several other southern states join Kentucky for low safety, including Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, West Virginia, and Louisiana.
Males are at a higher risk
According to the study, young male drivers were overwhelmingly more likely to die in traffic collisions, accounting for 72% of vehicle fatalities. Vermont, which had the lowest number of traffic deaths, only had nine teens die in car crashes from 2013-2017 and all of them were men. The only state that saw more females die in vehicle collisions was Alaska.
Summer reportedly deadliest time for collisions
It’s no surprise that many teen driving deaths occur when school is out of session. According to the study, there were 630 teen driving deaths during the summer months, most occurring in August. That’s a 70% increase from the number of fatalities in a winter month like February.
Safety tips for teen motorists
While many Kentucky parents may be frightened by this data, they can remind them to practice safe driving techniques when they hit the road. Here are some of the most important:
- Turn off the cellphones and electronic devices
- Obey all state and federal traffic laws.
- Mind the weather before getting behind the wheel.
- Don’t drive while tired or sleep-deprived.
- Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Watch out for distracted drivers or those driving under the influence.
Automobile wrecks can be devastating
Parents whose teens were seriously injured or killed in a critical wreck know the pain and suffering it can cause them and their families. That’s why it’s essential to communicate these dangers to teens to help them make informed decisions.