Kentucky leads the nation in teen driving deaths

LEXINGTON, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky now leads the nation in teen driving fatalities — for the fourth consecutive year. Traffic crashes continue to be the number one cause of death for teenagers, and several deadly wrecks across the state over the past week have highlighted the ongoing danger.

Safety experts emphasize that parents play a key role in reducing risks by modeling safe driving habits. One teen leader from Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) says that a “peer-to-peer” approach can also make a major impact — encouraging young drivers to take safety more seriously.

Experts add that even small decisions behind the wheel — such as putting down a phone or buckling up — can ultimately save lives.