Did you know that car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 13 and 20? Or that a shocking majority of teenage car accidents are fully preventable? Unfortunately, teenaged drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident than older, more mature and more experienced drivers – and many teen car accidents have to do with poor decision making and simple lack of knowledge.

Below, read about the leading causes of teen car accidents, car injuries, and fatalities:

•    Distracted driving. Teens are growing up in a different world than you or I are familiar with. Nowadays, teens think nothing of text messaging while driving, checking their email while driving, or chatting on their cell phone while behind the wheel. In addition, many teen drivers are distracted by other teens in the car they are driving.
•    Reckless driving. Teenaged boys especially are still learning about maturity, risk-taking, and impulse control. The tragic result is that teenaged males are often involved in speeding, racing, and other forms of reckless driving that can lead to serious car accidents and injuries.
•    Drinking and driving. Even though American teens are not of legal drinking age does not mean that they are not drinking and driving. In fact, one out of four fatal car crashes involving teen drivers also involves driving under the influence.
•    Driver inexperience. Very simply, teens do not understand the ins and outs of driving as much as older, more experienced adults. The result is that teens may not understand how fast to take curves, how much room to give vehicles in front of them, or how to drive in adverse weather conditions.