Because of their lack of experience and risky driving behaviors, young drivers commit more errors and hazardous actions behind the wheel than all other drivers combined. And when they're behind the wheel of a vehicle that weighs more than a ton traveling at 55 mph or more, the errors teen-agers make can prove deadly–for themselves and others.

Of the 3,956 drivers involved in Missouri fatal crashes in 1995–1997, nearly 66 percent committed one or more driver errors, according to police records. However, of the 440 young drivers ages 15–18 in fatal traffic crashes during those two years, more than 80 percent committed such errors, which contributed to the cause of the wreck.

Sadly, fewer than one in five of the teen drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes during that time period were faultless in the crash.

Most of the errors and traffic violations teens commit include driving on the wrong side of the road; failure to yield; and drinking. Overall crash statistics show speeding, driving too fast for road conditions and inattention are the most common hazardous actions among crash-involved young drivers.

In fact, in more than 42 percent of the fatal traffic crashes in 1999 involving 16–18 year-old drivers, the teen driver was speeding or driving too fast for conditions. In almost 52 percent of these collisions, the driver wasn't paying close enough attention, and in more than 12 percent of the crashes, the driver was on the wrong side of the road.

Mistakes are part of any learning process, including driving. Motorists of all ages commit errors and violate traffic laws, including adults with decades of experience. But teens are at greater risk to do so because of their inexperience and immaturity. Speeding over a hill or passing another motorist on the wrong side of the road may seem exciting and fun to a 16-year-old, but older drivers typically realize and avoid such dangerous actions.

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