Getting a driver’s license is one of the biggest milestones in a teenager’s life, and one of the moments parents worry about most. That worry is not unfounded. Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, and drivers ages 16 to 19 face a higher crash risk per mile driven than almost any other age group.
The good news: most of these crashes are preventable. At Green Light Hope Foundation, our Safe Driving Advocacy program exists because we believe education and awareness save lives long before a crash ever happens. Here are five research-backed habits every new driver should build from day one.
1. Put the Phone Away – Completely
Distraction is one of the most consistent factors in teen crash data. According to NHTSA, texting while driving increases a teen’s crash risk by 23 times, and simply dialing a phone increases it by 6 times.
In 2024 alone, 315 teen drivers were killed in crashes involving distracted driving.
The safest habit isn’t “glance quickly”; it’s putting the phone somewhere out of reach before the car even starts moving. A text can always wait. A crash cannot be undone.
2. Always Buckle Up — Every Trip, No Exceptions
Seat belt use remains one of the simplest, most effective ways to survive a crash — and yet it’s one of the most inconsistently practiced habits among teen drivers.
Over half of teen drivers killed in crashes in 2024 were not wearing a seat belt at the time
The data also shows a ripple effect: when a teen driver isn’t buckled in a fatal crash, the vast majority of their passengers weren’t either. One person’s habit sets the tone for the whole car.
3. Understand That Nighttime and Weekend Driving Carry More Risk
Teen drivers are statistically more at risk when driving at night or on weekends, when fatigue, reduced visibility, and higher rates of impaired driving among other road users all increase danger. New drivers should be especially cautious during these higher-risk windows, and parents can help by setting clear expectations around nighttime driving privileges as experience builds.
4. Limit Passengers in the Early Months of Driving
It might feel like a small thing, but extra passengers meaningfully change how a new driver behaves behind the wheel: more noise, more distraction, more pressure to show off. Crash data consistently shows that a significant share of teen passenger deaths happen when the driver is also a teen. Fewer passengers in those first months of independent driving means fewer distractions and more focus on the road.
5. Never Drive Under the Influence — Alcohol, Drugs, or Extreme Fatigue
This one is non-negotiable. Impairment of any kind, whether from alcohol, drugs, or simply being too tired to react quickly, dramatically increases crash risk for any driver, and even more so for someone who is still building experience behind the wheel. If a teen driver ever finds themselves impaired or exhausted, the safest decision is always to call a parent, a friend, or a rideshare rather than get behind the wheel.
Why This Matters to Us
Green Light Hope Foundation’s Safe Driving Advocacy program exists because we believe these five habits- phone away, seatbelt on, caution at night, fewer passengers early on, and zero tolerance for impaired driving- can meaningfully reduce preventable tragedies on America’s roads.
We bring road safety education directly into schools and communities, and we invite every driver, new or experienced, to join us in making these habits second nature.
Take the Safe Driving Pledge
Join thousands of Americans committing to safer roads. Visit our Safe Driving program page to take the pledge and learn more about how you can get involved.
