Overview
- NHTSA, cities and police are using the Oct. 19–25 observance to spotlight teen crash risks and promote safe-driving pledges at schools and community events.
- Federal data show about 2,600 people died and roughly 170,000 were injured in 2023 crashes involving teen drivers, with speeding, distraction, impairment and low seat belt use prominent factors.
- Safety groups urge families to require seat belts, ban phone use, limit passengers, restrict night driving and model sober, slower driving, pointing to GDL rules that can cut novice crashes by up to 50%.
- Recent outreach includes USAA driving simulators at UNLV with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Las Vegas Metro, demonstrating the effects of distraction and impairment.
- Local advocates and agencies—from a Central Oregon mother who lost her son to Austin’s Municipal Court—are pressing conversations at home and hosting events, including an Oct. 25 Trunk-or-Treat with teen-driver resources.