Nearly 50 teenagers died in car crashes last year across the Bay State, as the total number of fatal teen driver crashes reached its highest point in more than a decade.
Distracted driving was the top cause of overall teen car accidents last year in Massachusetts, while more than half of teen drivers or passengers who were killed in crashes weren’t wearing their seatbelt.
Last year, 49 people were killed in crashes involving 16-year-old to 19-year-old drivers — the first time that yearly total had eclipsed 40 fatalities in more than a decade, according to a new analysis from AAA Northeast.
The count of 49 teen deaths was the highest since 56 people were killed in such crashes in 2008. This jump in Massachusetts mirrors the growing number of people killed in teen driver crashes across the country.
“Teen driver crashes affect everybody on the road,” said Mark Schieldrop, of AAA Northeast. “Parents and caregivers play a critical role in making sure young drivers learn in a safe environment.”
Overall last year, there were 16,709 teen drivers involved in crashes in the Bay State — equivalent to one teen-involved crash every 32 minutes.
The top five causes for those crashes were: Driver inattention or distraction (2,590 crashes); failure to yield right-of-way (1,651 crashes); following too closely (1,457 crashes); speeding (932 crashes); failure to stay in lane/running off road (617 crashes). This teen driving crash data is from the state’s IMPACT crash portal.
Here are AAA’s tips for parents when talking to their teens about driving:
- Wear your seatbelt: Teens model parents’ behaviors, and wearing a seatbelt is the best protection you can give yourself in the event of a crash.
- Set limits on other passengers: Research shows the risk of a fatal crash dramatically increases when teen passengers accompany a teen driver. However, a parent or guardian in the car decreases the risk of a fatal crash.
- Sign a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement: Lay down some ground rules for your teen driver that exceed the Junior Operator restrictions.
