Teen Drivers Involved in Crashes – Washington State

Teen drivers face significant risks on the road, and one of the most dangerous factors is distraction. In 2021 alone, 3,522 people lost their lives in crashes where driver inattention played a role. Among those fatalities, 225 were teenagers between 15 and 19 years old, making up 6% of all deaths caused by distracted driving.

Fatal crashes involving teens don’t just affect the drivers themselves. In total, 4,212 people died in accidents where a teenager was behind the wheel, and 296 of those fatalities occurred in collisions where the teen driver was distracted. This means 7% of all deaths in crashes involving young motorists happened under circumstances of inattention.

Beyond distraction, car accidents remain one of the top causes of death for teenagers. In 2021, 2,796 teens in the 15–19 age group died in motor vehicle crashes. Of these, 8%—or 225 teens—were in accidents linked to distraction.

Did you know? Per mile driven, the fatal crash rate for 16- to 19-year-olds is nearly three times higher than for drivers aged 20 and older.

In total, 271 teen drivers between 15 and 19 years old were involved in fatal crashes due to distraction in 2021. These numbers highlight the need for stronger safety measures, better driver education, and increased awareness to prevent unnecessary tragedies on the road.

Risky Driving Habits: What Teens Admit to Doing Behind the Wheel

A recent AAA study found that 72% of teen drivers (ages 16–18) confessed to engaging in at least one dangerous driving behavior in the past month. From speeding to distracted driving, these risky habits significantly increase the likelihood of accidents.

⚡ Speeding: A Common Offense

    • 🚦 47% admitted to driving 10 mph over the speed limit in residential areas.
    • 🛣️ 40% exceeded the highway speed limit by at least 15 mph.

📱 Phone Use While Driving

    • 📞 46% talked on a handheld phone.
    • 💬 37% checked texts or emails while behind the wheel.
    • ✍️ 28% manually typed out messages.

🚨 Reckless Behaviors on the Road

    • 🚥 32% ran red lights.
    • 😠 31% admitted to aggressive driving.

😴 Safety Neglect & Impairment

    • 💤 25% drove while feeling too fatigued.
    • 🎗️ 17% failed to wear a seatbelt.
    • 🍺 4% acknowledged drinking enough alcohol to surpass the legal limit before driving.
    • 🌿 6% operated a vehicle within an hour of using marijuana.
    • 🚘 8% rode as passengers in a car driven by someone under the influence of alcohol.

Since these numbers reflect only what teens admit to, the actual prevalence of risky driving could be even higher.

Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes from the WSDOT Dashboard

Photo by Jackson Sears

Annual Fatal Crashes (Ages 10-17)

    • 2014: 17
    • 2015: 20
    • 2016: 28
    • 2017: 10
    • 2018: 22
    • 2019: 8
    • 2020: 22
    • 2021: 28
    • 2022: 33
    • 2023: 26

Key Findings

    • 36 of 202 fatal crashes involved drivers with invalid, expired, or no licenses.
    • 86% were involved in their first crash.
    • 17% were distracted while driving—significantly higher than the 7% reported in national studies.
    • 34% were speeding.
    • 14% had consumed one or more drugs (excluding alcohol).

County Trends

    • King County has averaged 4 fatal teen crashes per year since 2018.
    • Spokane County had zero incidents for several years but saw spikes of 7 and 5 fatal crashes in recent years, up to 2023.

👨‍👩‍👧 Every parent should know these Oregon teen driving dangers—get the facts now

Photo by Azhar khairi

Teen Driver Fatalities & the 100 Deadliest Days

Teen drivers (ages 16-17) are three times more likely than adults to be involved in fatal crashes per mile driven. The 100 Deadliest Days—the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day—accounts for over 30% of teen driver-related deaths. Washington ranks 9th in the U.S., with 42.4% of its teen driver fatalities occurring in these months.

Why Are the 100 Deadliest Days So Dangerous?

    • More time on the road – No school means more driving.
    • Inexperience – Teens are nearly three times more likely to crash.
    • Distraction – 60% of teen crashes involve distractions (phones, passengers, eating).
    • Speeding – 35% of young male drivers in fatal crashes were speeding (17% for females).
    • Drunk driving – In 2022, 30% of teen drivers (15-20) killed in crashes had a BAC of .01 g/dL or higher.

Speeding and Drinking Among Teen Drivers in Washington

Speeding remains a major safety risk for teen drivers. In 2022, it contributed to 30% of fatal crashes involving passenger vehicle drivers aged 15-18. Research shows that teens’ speeding tendencies increase over time, especially as they grow more confident behind the wheel. Speed becomes even more dangerous in poor weather conditions, heavy traffic, or on winding roads.

Drunk driving is another alarming issue. Despite the legal drinking age being 21, 22% of teen drivers (15-18) involved in fatal crashes in 2022 had consumed alcohol.

Additionally, distracted driving plays a significant role in teen crashes. Studies show that dialing a phone while driving increases crash risk by 6x, while texting raises it by 23x.

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Teen Driving Accidents in Washington – Early 2025

The first weeks of 2025 have already seen serious teen-related crashes, reflecting common patterns in these accidents: nighttime driving, high speeds, and impaired driving.

    • Lakewood, WA – A teen driver going the wrong way on Interstate 5 caused a fatal head-on crash early Friday morning. The driver, who was heading south in the northbound lanes, killed the other driver on impact. Authorities arrested him on suspicion of DUI and vehicular homicide.
    • Oak Harbor, WA – A 15-year-old girl lost control of a Dodge Charger and crashed into a pole at 3:05 a.m. north of Coupeville. She did not survive the accident.

Safe Driving for Teens

REMEMBER: After turning 18, drivers cannot have passengers under 20 (except immediate family) for the first six months. Additionally, they are not allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

For more teen driving tips, visit here.

Protecting Teens, Protecting Families

The numbers tell a heartbreaking story: distracted and risky driving claims too many young lives every year. For parents, the worry never ends — and for teens, one mistake can change everything.

If your family has been impacted by a teen driving accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Medical bills, insurance disputes, and unanswered questions can feel overwhelming, but The Advocates are here to stand by your side. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges of crashes involving young drivers, and we are committed to protecting your rights while guiding you toward recovery.

If you or your teen has been involved in a crash, call The Advocates today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and fight for the support and compensation you deserve.

👉 Learn more by visiting our Washington car accident page or reach out now to speak with an Advocate directly.

 

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