Obtaining a driver’s license is often celebrated as a rite of passage in American culture — a symbol of independence and a key step toward adulthood. But for thousands of teenagers each year, this milestone turns tragic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car crashes remain the leading cause of death for 16- to 19-year-olds, a group that faces the highest crash risk of any age bracket. The financial toll is staggering: accidents involving drivers ages 13 to 19 cost an estimated $40.7 billion annually in medical bills and lost productivity. That number doesn’t even include the hidden but mounting expenses of car repairs, traffic tickets, higher insurance premiums, and long-term vehicle upkeep.
To better understand how safe the roads are for young drivers, WalletHub analyzed the teen driving environment in all 50 states across 23 key metrics. The study considered factors such as teen driver fatalities, impaired-driving laws, insurance costs, and the average price of car repairs.
The findings placed New Jersey as the third-safest state for teen drivers, thanks to some of the strictest road safety laws in the country, high insurance premiums that discourage reckless behavior, and one of the nation’s highest concentrations of driving schools. The Garden State also recorded the third-lowest teen fatality rate and one of the lowest percentages of teens who report driving under the influence of alcohol. Texting while driving among New Jersey teens is also relatively rare, ranking 11th lowest in the nation.
Neighboring New York topped the list, bolstered by the highest number of driving schools per capita and the second-lowest teen driver fatality rate. Oregon ranked second, with experts citing strict traffic laws, steep fines for violations, and some of the country’s best road conditions, giving teens valuable experience navigating hazards.
The state ranked dead last for the safety if teen drivers was Montana.