Originally Published: August 6, 2019 • Re-published: October 15, 2025
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of teen crashes, and that often means a cell phone is involved. But let us not forget, there is another distracted driving behavior—often overlooked—that your teen drivers need to be educated about: passenger interaction. Studies show that the risk of a crash increases with each additional teenage passenger in the car.
Originally Published: June 10, 2016 • Re-published: September 4, 2025
Our Kansas City roads are busy, and for teen drivers —especially those still gaining experience—safe driving is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Whether a new driver or a parent guiding one, these essential safety habits can help reduce a teen’s risk and build lasting confidence behind the wheel.
Originally Published: June 17, 2016 • Re-published: June 13, 2025
Earning a driver’s license marks an exciting milestone for teens. Along with that comes a new level of responsibility. Parents and other adults play a crucial role in shaping safe driving habits by modeling responsible behavior for teen drivers.
Are you familiar with Missouri’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law? It is a three-step licensing process designed to help inexperienced teen drivers acquire the skills needed to be responsible drivers and make the road safer for all drivers.
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. The good news? With the right guidance and awareness, your teen driver can become safer behind the wheel. Educate them about the eight critical danger zones identified by the CDC—each representing a major factor contributing to teen car accidents.
Originally Published: October 22, 2019 • Re-published: October 17, 2022 • Updated: September 19, 2025
For teen drivers, inexperience and peer pressure often lead to poor decisions when driving. Teen drivers also face other challenges when behind the wheel, ones that can increase their risk of an accident. The five most common and deadly include:
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.
“In 2016, 2,433 teens in the United States ages 16–19 were killed and 292,742 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes. That means that six teens ages 16–19 died every day due to motor vehicle crashes and hundreds more were injured.”
Originally Published: May 5, 2017 • Updated: December 29, 2022
Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for teen drivers ages 15–20 and are the leading cause of preventable death. Teaching teens how to recognize dangerous driving behaviors, especially those linked to impaired driving, is an essential part of keeping them safe on the road.
Below are key warning signs of a drunk driver and what your teen should do if they encounter one.
