We all remember the first time we got behind the wheel. Sitting in driver education for our provisional license felt like a rite of passage. Then, rushing to our local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on our birthday to become an officially licensed driver was an event for the whole family to celebrate. The freedom and independence that came with having a license were exhilarating. But these days, fewer and fewer teenagers are getting their licenses.

According to the Federal Highway Safety Administration, the percentage of teenagers with driver’s licenses has declined since the 1980s. In 1983, 46.2% of 16-year-olds held a driver’s license. In 2018 that number came down to 25.6%. 61% of 18-year-olds held a license compared to 80% in 1983. In 2019, there were 228.7 million licensed drivers in the United States, and young drivers only accounted for 12.0 million.

So, why are Washington, D.C., teenagers less likely to get their licenses? It can be attributed to a few different factors.

Driving Is Less Enjoyable for Teens

One reason is that driving is just less enjoyable for teenagers these days. With the rise of ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft, it’s easier than ever to get around without a car. And if you don’t have a car, you don’t need a driver’s license.

Additionally, while cars are quieter and more comfortable, our roads are overcrowded, and traffic jams are worse in recent years than in the past. Many teens perceive driving as too stressful and intimidating.

Owning a Car is Expensive

Another reason fewer teens are getting their driver’s licenses is the cost of owning and operating a vehicle. Cars are more expensive than ever, and insurance rates continue to rise. In addition, gas prices fluctuate, and parking can be difficult (and costly) to find in some areas. For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license doesn’t make financial sense.

Legal Changes in Teen Driver’s Licenses

There have also been some changes in the law that make it harder for teenagers and new drivers to get their driver’s licenses. In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, a three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) system is in place. This means that there are different levels of driver’s licenses, and teens must complete specific requirements (like logging a certain number of hours of driving with a parent or guardian and learning safe driving practices) before getting their full license.

Additionally, in some states, intermediate license holders can’t move on to full licensure until they are 18. In Washington, D.C., the age is 21.

The Risk of Accidents Is Too High

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the United States. In 2019, there were nearly 2,050 teenage drivers killed in car accidents. The risk of accidents is too high for most teens. That’s why many parents choose to wait until their children are older before allowing them to get behind the wheel.

Teens Are More Environmentally Conscious

In addition to all of these reasons, it’s also worth noting that teenagers are more environmentally conscious than ever before. With the threat of climate change looming, many young people choose to walk, bike, or take public transportation instead of driving, even if it’s inconvenient.

Fatal Car Crashes and Inexperienced Drivers

In 2019, approximately 205,000 adult drivers were injured in car accidents. Younger drivers accounted for 7.8% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes but only accounted for 5.3% of all licensed drivers in 2019.

Most teen crashes are not caused by aggressive driving or thrill-seeking. Instead, accidents involving a teen driver are more likely to be caused by errors associated with inexperience. Teen drivers have less knowledge about the rules of the road and understand even less about how to control a vehicle in an emergency. Other common causes of fatal crashes include:

• Nighttime driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving with teen passengers
• Reckless driving

Additionally, even though every state’s minimum legal drinking age is 21, 16% of 15-to-18-year-old drivers involved in a fatal crash in 2019 had been drinking alcohol. Impaired driving is unfortunately prevalent among teen drivers and their passengers.

Seat Belts and Teen Drivers

Even with strict seat belt laws across the country, seat belt use is the lowest among teen drivers. According to the CDC, most teenagers involved in fatal car crashes are unbuckled.  In 2019, 45% of the teenage drivers killed in car accidents were not wearing seat belts.

This is an alarming trend. If you’re a parent of a teen driver, make sure they understand the importance of always wearing a seat belt. It could save their life.

Contact a Washington, D.C Car Accident Attorney

If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your teenage driver, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our car accident attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.