Speeding is a critical issue for young drivers. In 2014, it was a factor for 30 percent of the teen drivers involved in fatal crashes. A study by GHSA found that from 2000-2011 there were 19,447 speed-related crashes involving teen drivers. There is also evidence from naturalistic driving studies that teens' speeding behavior increases over time, possibly as they gain confidence (Klauer et al., 2011, Simons-Morton et al., 2013).

What Can You Do?

• Get Involved: Teens that are monitored closely tend to speed less. Take the lead to do more to address speeding behavior among your teen driver and get involved in the learning-to-drive process.
• Be a good role model: Never speed. Be consistent between the message you tell your teen and your own driving behaviors. Kids learn from watching their parents.
• Hold up on buying your teen a new car According to a study by GHSA, when a teen first has a license, if they are the primary owner of a vehicle, they are more likely to speed than in the family sedan. If possible, parents should choose larger, newer cars rather than high-performance vehicles.

Bottom Line:

Stop speeding before it stops you.