COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Ohio officials are urging families to discuss safe driving habits with teen drivers during National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 18-25, as new data shows young drivers continue to be involved in a disproportionate share of crashes across the state.
Drivers younger than 24 make up about 13% of Ohio’s licensed drivers but are involved in 31% of all crashes, according to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Last year, 110 fatal crashes in Ohio involved teen drivers. In 79 of those crashes, the teen driver was determined to be at fault, an 18% increase from 2024. The leading contributing factors were driving left of center and unsafe speed.
Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Ben Suver said conversations between parents and teens about the consequences of unsafe driving can help prevent tragedies.
As part of this year’s campaign, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office is sharing the story of an Ohio teenager involved in a high-speed crash in February 2025 that killed another driver.
The teen said his new independence behind the wheel led to reckless behavior, including speeding. He described running a red light and causing the fatal crash, saying, “I loved to go fast. And eventually it caught up to me.”
The teen now shares his experience with other young drivers to discourage similar decisions and encourage them to pause and think before acting behind the wheel. The state is withholding his name and face from the released video to protect his privacy.
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is also releasing updated Teen Driver Fast Facts bulletins for all 88 Ohio counties. The fact sheets provide local information on crash trends, dangerous roads and intersections, seat belt use and safety practices for new drivers.
The bulletins are updated every six months and are distributed to driver training schools statewide so instructors can tailor behind-the-wheel training to local conditions.
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office first launched the Fast Facts resource in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2022.
Families, driving instructors and community leaders can access the county-specific resources through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office website.
Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by AVC News
