The number of teen deaths in automobile crashes is grievous. But compared to the number of crashes for other age groups, the statistics are particularly deplorable. Compared to all other drivers, teens are substantially over-involved in traffic crashes on Arkansas roads.

On a national basis, the 15- to 20-year-old age group accounts for about 6 percent of the driving population but is involved in 13 percent of all fatal crashes. Further, almost 20 percent of all highway fatalities occur in crashes involving teens. Crash statistics in Arkansas are just as ominous. Teens make up about 7 percent of the driving population but comprise about 13 percent of the drivers involved in fatal crashes. Teens have a fatality rate that is four times as high as that of some older drivers.

Driving is perhaps the biggest responsibility entrusted to teens, but the frightening statistics show many are not ready. Teenage drivers have the highest number of crash fatalities among all drivers in Arkansas, with only motorists in the 21–25 age group coming close to their fatality rate. Clearly young drivers accumulate a large proportion of their crash experience in the first few years of driving.

Based on these statistics, some may question whether a 16-year-old should be allowed to get an unrestricted drivers license. It’s a question that gained some momentum with the release of a study several years ago by the National Institute of Mental Health that indicated the adolescent brain may be unable to handle the responsibility of driving. Researchers found that the parts of the brain that weigh risks, make judgements and control impulsive behavior are still developing through the teen years and don’t mature until about age 25.

Once drivers do reach their mid-20s, their incidence of collisions decreases significantly and generally continues dropping steadily until a spike among drivers who are 76 and older. Perhaps through maturation, accumulated driving time, changes in driving purpose or some combination of these factors, young motorists learn how to drive more safely. The key is helping drivers gain more experience in a safe manner during their early riskiest years by implementing a comprehensive GDL system, which has been described as “training wheels for teens.”