New York has been ranked the best state in the country for teen drivers for the third consecutive year, according to a traffic safety study conducted by WalletHub. The study evaluated all 50 states based on 23 different criteria, including teen driver fatalities, teen DUIs, and the availability of driver education and training. Metrics were categorized into three areas: safety, economic environment, and driving laws, totaling a combined score of 100 points.
Teens in New York secured the top position due to strong performance across various metrics, finishing second overall in safety, just behind New Jersey, and second in effective driving laws. The state recorded the fourth-fewest teen driver fatalities, the fourth-lowest percentage of drivers using phones while driving, and the third-lowest rate of poor turning in the country. Additionally, New York had the highest number of driving schools per resident and the third-fewest teen DUI arrests by population.
New York achieved a total score of 72.14, followed closely by Oregon with a score of 72.00 and New Jersey with 68.01. This marks the third consecutive year that New York teens have ranked first in the country, as reported by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Christian Jackstadt, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, expressed hope that the study results would reassure parents about road safety in New York. He stated, "We’re thrilled to achieve this ranking, and we will continue to educate young people to better prepare them to be safer and more responsible drivers."
The study utilized data from various sources, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the American Automobile Association (AAA), and the FBI. Despite the top ranking, motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for teens aged 16 to 19 nationally. Data from 2024 indicates that drivers aged 16 to 20 were involved in 7% of New York crashes while representing only 4% of licensed motorists, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Jackstadt noted that most crashes involving teen drivers result from inexperience, inattention, impairment, and nighttime driving, and highlighted that the state has implemented various programs and rules to address these risky behaviors.
Montana ranked last in the study with a score of 22.78, significantly lower than New York's score, followed by Missouri at 29.16 and Mississippi at 35.88. The WalletHub study follows a report released in May titled the "Gen Z Recklessness Score," which indicated that young drivers were involved in serious crashes across the US. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the national average for Gen Z-related accidents is 14.81 per 100,000 people, with nearly 6,000 motorists killed in speeding-related crashes involving Gen Z drivers in 2023. New York's Gen Z drivers were again ranked as the safest in the US, while Montana finished last in both studies.