Columbus is one of the deadliest US cities for young drivers. Just how dangerous is it?

As if things weren’t scary enough out there for parents, a new study has just unlocked a whole new level of fear, revealing Columbus, Georgia, as the fourth deadliest city for teen drivers in the US.

The study conducted by Georgia law firm Bader Scott , says that 53% of all fatal car crashes in Columbus involved drivers between the ages of 15 and 20. This may be an alarming statistic, but unfortunately, not a surprising one.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that “ motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of unintentional death in 2020 for the 15- to 24-year-old age group in the United States.” They go on to say that while only 5% of licensed drivers were under 20, they made up 12.5% of drivers in crashes.

There are a number of factors that contribute to this number.

Young drivers are less experienced, for sure, and their limited time behind the wheel has not afforded them time to develop the necessary instincts safe driving needs.

Other factors include:

• Risk-taking behavior - The National Library of Medicine confirms that the adolescent brain’s prefrontal cortex is not fully developed which accounts for impulse control issues and poor decision-making.

• Distracted driving - 82% of young drivers in Georgia have texted while operating a vehicle, and 77% of those drivers believe they can do so safely, reports the Georgia Department of Transportation .

• Nighttime and weekend driving - Roughly 20% of all accidents involving a teen driver happen after 9 p.m., according to the Georgia trial firm, Pendergrass Law .

• Passenger influence - The presence of passengers increases the risk of accidents, justifying the rule about passengers dictated by the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA) .

• Alcohol involvement - Even though younger drivers are less likely to drive while under the influence, the risk of crashing is substantially higher if they do.

• Overconfidence - Teenagers, in general, often overestimate their abilities, and driving is no different.

• Seatbelt use - Marketwatch’s statistics show that 56% of teens who died in an accident in 2021 were not wearing a seatbelt.

Additionally, gender differences play into the numbers as well. Marketwatch goes on to reveal that young male drivers were significantly more likely to to die in a car wreck than young female drivers. In 2021, “there were 60.28 young male drivers killed per 100,000 licensed drivers, compared to 25.51 young female drivers.”

Here are some ways to protect young drivers

Aside from following the TADRA guidelines and enforcing the laws, parents can help keep their teens safe in a variety of ways.

• Encourage practice

• Set a good example as a conscientious and safe driver

• Create a parent/teen driving contract outlining rules, expectations and consequences for safe driving behaviors.

• Educate young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving

• Limit nighttime driving

• Utilize technology like apps or devices that allow you to monitor their behavior

• Enroll teens in a defensive driving program. The Georgia Department of Driver Services offers a list of certified driver improvement schools.

Be safe out there, everybody, especially as school starts back and the number of teen drivers increases. Have thoughts? Sound off in the comments, or you can email me or find me on Instagram .

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