The 2024 Teen Driver Report Card: How Does North Dakota Stack Up?

Johnfitch.com's 100-point score system examined teen driver safety in the US. The study examines young driver fatalities (aged 15-20), teen driver fatalities per 10,000 licensed drivers, and impaired driving rates, including distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving. The NHTSA, FHWA, and U.S. Census Bureau provided this report's data. This article examines North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota's performance.

Minnesota: A Strong Performer in Teen Driver Safety

Minnesota ranks as the eighth-safest state for teen drivers, with a score of 32.61. The state has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to traffic safety, which is reflected in its lower-than-average percentages of young driver fatalities and impaired driving incidents.

Minnesota reports that 12.84% of its traffic fatalities involve young drivers, a figure below the national average. Furthermore, the state has a significantly lower rate of impaired driving incidents among teens, at just 0.99 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers. This impressive record can be attributed to Minnesota’s comprehensive traffic safety programs and strict enforcement of driving laws, which together create a safer environment for young drivers.

The state’s relatively low involvement of teens in fatal crashes also indicates the effectiveness of these measures. Minnesota’s focus on education and enforcement has undoubtedly played a crucial role in achieving its position as one of the safer states for teen drivers in the country.

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Montana: High Fatality Rates, But Fewer Impaired Driving Incidents

Montana ranks fourth on the list, with a score of 63.52. While this might seem like a middle-of-the-road ranking, the state’s statistics reveal some concerning trends. Montana has a high percentage of traffic fatalities involving young drivers, at 13.62%, and a significant proportion of teens are involved in fatal crashes, accounting for 7.91% of all drivers involved in such incidents.

However, it’s not all bad news for Montana. The state reports lower rates of impaired driving incidents among teens, with 3.63 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers involved in fatal crashes. While this rate is higher than in some other states, it is notably lower compared to the national average, indicating that Montana’s efforts to curb impaired driving may be having a positive impact.

Despite these efforts, Montana’s high fatality rates among teen drivers suggest that more work is needed to improve overall teen driver safety in the state. The combination of high involvement in fatal crashes and a relatively high overall score indicates that Montana faces significant challenges in protecting its young drivers.

North Dakota: High Risk, Despite Lower Scores

North Dakota is ranked sixth, with a score of 61.55. Like Montana, North Dakota faces significant challenges in teen driver safety. The state exhibits very high rates of young driver involvement in fatal crashes, with 16.33% of its traffic fatalities involving young drivers. Additionally, North Dakota has a higher rate of impaired driving incidents among teens, at 3.84 per 10,000 licensed teen drivers.

These statistics paint a concerning picture for North Dakota. Despite having a lower overall score than some states, the high rates of fatal crashes and impaired driving incidents among teens highlight the need for more robust safety measures. The data suggests that North Dakota’s young drivers are at considerable risk, and more needs to be done to address the factors contributing to these high numbers.

The study by Johnfitch.com offers valuable insights into the safety of teen drivers across the U.S., and the findings for North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota highlight both strengths and areas for improvement. Minnesota’s strong performance reflects its effective safety programs, while Montana and North Dakota face significant challenges in reducing teen driver fatalities and impaired driving incidents.

As our states continue to work towards improving road safety for everyone, this latest report serves as a critical reminder of the importance of targeted efforts to protect young drivers on the road.