Fatalities in Massachusetts teen driver crashes highest since 2008, contributing circumstances released

Westwood, MA, — The number of fatalities in teen driver crashes in Massachusetts reached its highest point in over a decade last year, finds a new analysis from AAA Northeast. In 2022, 49 people were killed in crashes involving 16-19 year-old drivers – the first time that number had eclipsed 40 in more than a decade, and the highest since 56 people were killed in such crashes in 2008. That increase parallels a growing number of people killed in teen driver crashes nationwide.

To mark National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from October 15-21, 2023, AAA Northeast analyzed teen driving crash data from the state’s IMPACT crash portal. There were 16,709 drivers ages 16-19 involved in crashes in Massachusetts in 2022 – equivalent to one teen-involved crash every 32 minutes. The top five driver contributing circumstances to 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 keep in proper lane / running off road (617 crashes)

“Teen driver crashes affect everybody on the road,” said Mark Schieldrop, AAA Northeast Senior Spokesperson. “Parents and caregivers play a critical role in making sure young drivers learn in a safe environment.”

AAA offers the following 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. Unfortunately, more than half of teen drivers or passengers who were killed in crashes in Massachusetts last year weren’t wearing their seatbelt.

Set limits on other passengers: research shows the risk of a fatal crash dramatically increases when teen passengers accompany a teen driver, but having a parent or guardian in the car decreases the risk of a fatal crash.

Sign a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement: aim to lay ground rules for your teen driver that exceed the Junior Operator restrictions.