Overview
- NHTSA reports 2,611 people were killed in 2023 crashes involving a teen driver, including 822 teen drivers, 604 passengers of teen drivers and 377 teens riding with other teens, with 87,074 teens injured.
- Safety agencies highlight persistent factors in deadly teen crashes such as speeding, distraction, alcohol impairment and unbelted travel, noting risk climbs with additional teen passengers.
- Outreach tied to the observance includes a UNLV event with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and USAA simulators demonstrating distraction and impairment, and messaging from local police about holiday-season dangers.
- AAA Northeast urges families to review graduated driver licensing rules, which research shows can reduce crash risk by up to 50%, and to reinforce seat belt use, sober driving, speed limits and strict passenger limits.
- Communities are staging education efforts such as Austin’s Oct. 25 Trunk-or-Treat information booth, while advocates like the Gweedo Memorial Foundation press families to hold frank, ongoing safety conversations.