Wyoming Tops Nation in Teen Driving Deaths — Speeding a Major Factor

The biggest danger to teenagers isn’t drugs or violence — it’s cars. And in Wyoming, the numbers are downright grim.

A new study from Consumer Affairs ranks Wyoming second worst in the nation for teen drivers overall but first when it comes to deadly crashes. In 2022, nearly 34 out of every 100,000 Wyoming teens died in wrecks involving teen drivers — almost three times the national average.

The Cowboy State also leads the nation in fatalities tied to speeding teens, logging more than 23 deaths per 100,000 teens. That’s five times the national rate.

Oddly enough, though, Wyoming saw zero teen DUI-related fatalities in 2022 — a rare bright spot in a state that ranks third worst for drunk driving overall.

So what’s driving the danger? Part of it may come down to Wyoming’s unusually short learner’s permit period. Teens can get a permit at 15, an intermediate license at 16, and are only required to log 10 days of supervised driving before heading out solo. Most states mandate at least six months to a year behind the wheel with an adult before teens drive alone.

Nationally, the picture isn’t much rosier. More than 2,500 teens died in crashes across the US in 2022, according to federal data — an average of 11.6 deaths per 100,000 teens. That makes young drivers nearly four times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than older motorists.

Montana, meanwhile, earned the title of worst state for teen drivers overall, thanks to sky-high rates of DUIs and reckless driving among young people.

The bottom line: Wyoming teens aren’t drinking and driving at high rates, but speed, inexperience, and loose licensing laws are making the state’s roads especially deadly for young drivers.

The original story by Kolby Fedore for K2 Radio.