Best and Worst US States for Teenage Drivers?

Find Out Where Your State Ranks

Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States—16- to 19-year-olds have the highest crash rate of any age group. Teens from coast to coast are at risk, but specific factors in some states make driving in these regions particularly dangerous for young people. A new report uses traffic statistics as well as safety and financial data to identify the best and worst states for teen drivers.

The report analyzed 16 key metrics in order to rank each state. These factors included the number of teen driver fatalities, the rate of teen violations for driving under the influence, as well as the amount of teen drivers in each state and how many miles each driver typically traveled. The report also considered the severity of each state's traffic laws and whether states had provisions against texting while driving.

Overall, the report ranked these states as the worst for teen drivers:

• 50. South Dakota
• 49. Mississippi
• 48. Nebraska
• 47. Oklahoma
• 46. Wyoming

These states ranked best overall:

• 1. New York
• 2. Hawaii
• 3. Illinois
• 4. Oregon
• 5. Rhode Island

Pennsylvania came in at number 35 in the overall rankings—it ranked 20th for Safety Conditions, 48th for the Economic Environment, and 24th for Driving Laws. Find the official report here. Or, use this interactive map to see how your state ranks:

Questions About Teen Driving?

We're committed to helping you make your teenager a safe, smart, and risk-free driver. So, if you're looking for more information about prepping your teen for the road, check out our page dedicated to Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers.

Unfortunately, we know that accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call our legal professionals for a free legal consultation. We'll review the details of your case and outline the best course of action for you. We're available 24/7 at 412-394-1000 or online by completing the form in the top right corner of this page.