The leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. is motor vehicles. From 2021-2025 in the Johnson County area, all fatal crashes involving young drivers have occurred only in March, April and May. However, nationwide, fatal crashes involving young drivers are most common in the summer months, contradicting the recent local pattern.
Due to this differing local pattern and the risks of fatal crashes in young drivers, the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County is in the process of developing a transportation safety plan with local communities.
Sarah Walz is the Associate Transportation Planner at the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County.
“When we saw that data [of fatalities in the spring], we realized this was a timely point to remind people of the things that keep them safe [while driving],” said Walz. “Two of the main ones are not being distracted and wearing your seatbelt.”
Young drivers are at the highest risk for involvement in fatal car crashes due to a combination of risks, including inexperience and distracted driving, which can be exemplified when combined with other factors like lack of seatbelts, speeding and alcohol or drug consumption.
In Johnson County, 26% of crashes involving young drivers are a result of distracted driving and 43% are attributed to speeding. Nationwide, 53% of teen drivers who lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing a seatbelt (C Image).
Teenage drivers simply have less experience and a less developed prefrontal cortex. Studies show that an increase in experience correlates to a decrease in casualties and collisions.
“It’s the level of experience,” said Walz. “I think the more that you drive, the more you become aware of other drivers’ behaviors, and the more experience you have, the better of a driver you are.”
One of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County’s focuses is improving the conditions of driving in the area and the infrastructure. They are working to create safe streets and roads for everyone by using feedback from the public and heavily analyzing crash data.
“We know people are going to make mistakes, but we want to minimize that with the idea of avoiding unintentional mistakes people make that cause serious injury and death by making things as clear and safe as possible,” said Walz.
The other focus the organization stresses is the importance of educating teenagers on safe driving habits, especially during the spring, with a goal of zero motor vehicle-related fatalities.
“The other component is education and making people aware of these risks,” said Walz. “My personal advice is to use your turn signal and watch for others’ tail lights because that’s really cars telling you what they’re about to do.”
