More teenagers were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2020 than in any other year over the last decade, according to a recent analysis by Bumper Marketplace. 

You may have already heard that emptier roads during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a concerning rise in speeding and an increase in distracted driving — but new data suggests that it was also a historic and deadly year for teen driving fatalities. 

In all, vehicle fatalities have increased by 8 percent since 2019, with an estimated 42,060 people killed in car accidents in the United States in 2020. An estimated 5,213 of those deaths were teens. 

Some states are deadlier than others

When measuring motor vehicle fatalities per 10,000 licensed teen drivers, it becomes pretty clear that some states are more dangerous than others. Kentucky has the highest fatality rate at 8.46, while Montana (7.29) and Mississippi (7.08) were the second and third most deadly states for teen drivers. 

Wondering which states saw the least teen driving fatalities? Massachusetts saw fewer fatalities than any other state with a rating of just 1.43 — while New Jersey (1.74) Hawaii, (2.0), and New York (2.09) rounded out the bottom of the list. 

The top 10 states for teen driving fatalities: 

1. Kentucky — 8.46

2. Montana — 7.29

3. Mississippi — 7.08

4. Arkansas — 6.92 

5. New Mexico — 6.77

6. Florida — 6.28 

7. North Carolina — 6.16

8. Wyoming — 5.67

9. Texas — 5.34

10. Georgia — 5.26 
    

The bottom 10 states for teen driving fatalities:

1. Massachusetts — 1.43

2. New Jersey — 1.74

3. Hawaii — 2.00 

4. New York — 2.09 

5. New Hampshire — 2.14

6. Washington — 2.22

7. Delaware — 2.25

8. Utah — 2.31 

9. Rhode Island — 2.34

10. Vermont — 2.37

Sign Hunter’s Pledge to End Distracted Driving

Hunter’s Pledge was designed to encourage drivers to commit to safe driving habits.

Since 2016, tens of thousands of drivers have signed the pledge and permanently changed their driving behaviors.

Studies show that signing a pledge can dramatically and permanently change behaviors. In fact, 47 percent of people who sign Hunter’s Pledge have changed their driving behavior. 

Click here to sign the pledge.

Hunter’s Fund

Hunter’s Fund honors the life of Hunter Watson, a young man of extremely diverse talents who was killed at 20-years-old when he was fatally injured as a passenger in a distracted driving collision.

Through distracted driving education and awarding grants to help young people’s involvement in performing arts, music, computer science, and entrepreneurship, Hunter’s Fund empowers young people in their careers and keeps Hunter’s spirit alive.

Does your organization want to get involved with Hunter’s Pledge? Click here for more information, or contact Laurel Holmes. laurel@hunterwatson.org