In Kentucky, teens are responsible for nearly half of all single car accidents

Published: July 9, 2018 | Updated: May 9, 2019

More teens are dying in single car accidents.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, teenage drivers who died in car crashes increased nearly 10 percent from 2014 to 2015. The majority of deaths occur when two cars collide. The second highest is when a vehicle overturns, runs off the roadway or hits a fixed object.

Teens are responsible for nearly half of all single vehicle collisions in Kentucky

The majority of crashes were due to running off the road and overcorrecting. Inexperience, combined with unnecessary risk-taking — such as texting, driving under the influence, speeding and not wearing a seat belt — are the primary causes for this uptick.

Tips for parents to ensure their young drivers don’t become a statistic:

• Make a formal agreement with your teen driver and enforce it. Download a sample agreement.
• Be a role model for safe driving by following the rules yourself.
• Ensure your new teen driver gets at least 50 hours of experience under a variety of driving conditions.
• Limit the number of passengers. Studies show teen drivers are 2.5 times more likely to engage in risky behavior while driving one passenger and three times more likely with multiple passengers.

Have your teen attend a driver training program. “Ford Driving Skills for Life Program” is coming to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville on July 14 and 15. Each four-hour session helps teens improve their skills in hazard recognition, vehicle handling and reaction times.