Why are teen drivers often more at risk than older drivers?

Teen drivers face a higher risk compared to older drivers primarily due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. Inexperienced drivers may not recognize or react appropriately to potential hazards on the road, which increases the probability of accidents. Younger drivers are still developing their decision-making skills and may struggle to judge distances, speeds, or the behaviors of other road users effectively. This inexperience can lead to miscalculations in critical driving situations, making it important for them to gain more driving experience in a variety of conditions to improve their safety and skills.

Other factors, such as driving slower, using technology, or driving larger vehicles, do not inherently contribute to the increased risk as effectively as the role of experience and risk perception. In fact, slower speeds can often result in reduced severity of accidents, and while technology may aid in some aspects of driving, it cannot fully compensate for a lack of experience and the ability to anticipate dangers on the road.