Crash avoidance features and teen-specific vehicle technologies could prevent three-quarters of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

This is the conclusion of a new US study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“We know these technologies don’t stop 100% of the crashes they’re designed to address, but our analysis shows that the potential benefits for teen drivers could be pretty stunning if they were widely used,” says IIHS Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, the lead author of the paper.

Teen targets

Per mile driven, teen drivers in the US are nearly four times more likely to crash than drivers 20 years old or above. This is due to a unique set of risk factors that includes high rates of speeding, low seat belt use and inexperience.

Past research has shown that teen drivers are typically worse at recognising hazards and controlling the vehicle. This results in more loss-of-control and run-off-road crashes. Teen drivers are more prone to losing focus and less likely to lower their speed to compensate for slick roads or poor visibility. They are also often involved in rear-end and right-angle crashes.

All that means that the safety benefits of crash avoidance technologies like front crash prevention and lane departure prevention could be particularly relevant for teen drivers.

Automakers and software developers also offer technologies that are specifically designed for teen drivers. In-vehicle technology suites like Ford’s MyKey and GM’s Teen Driver include features like parent-controlled speed limiters and gearshift or stereo system interlocks. Smartphone apps like Hyundai’s BlueLink and Grom Social’s MamaBear can provide parents with driving reports or real-time alerts.

On the road

Researchers analysed passenger-vehicle crashes involving teen drivers in the U.S. during 2016-19. They looked for crash scenarios relevant to three crash avoidance features. These include front crash prevention, lane departure warning/prevention and blind spot monitoring. Then there are technologies designed for teen drivers. For example, speeding prevention features, nighttime curfew notifications and extended reminders or gearshift interlocks to encourage seat belt use).

Assuming those technologies were universally used and completely effective, they could prevent or mitigate 41% of all crashes involving teen drivers. They could also prevent as many as 47% of teen driver injuries and 78% of teen driver deaths.

Plenty of potential

Considered separately, both the crash avoidance features and teen-specific technologies showed big potential benefits. Vehicle tech could help in a third of teen driver deaths and a quarter of injuries. Smartphone apps could apply to nearly a third of teen driver injuries and as many as two-thirds of teen driver deaths.

To prevent or mitigate all those crashes, the technologies would have to work perfectly. That’s unlikely. However, at current levels of performance, these technologies could prevent a lot of crashes if universally adopted.

Previous research shows some technological success. Lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking reduce crashes by 11%, 14% and 50%, respectively.

Switched on

Less is known about the effectiveness of teen-specific technologies. However, some vehicle and smartphone apps have already been shown to reduce speeding and encourage seat belt use.

Even if these technologies are only moderately effective, they could prevent many injuries and deaths. To deliver on any of that potential, features would have to be installed in the vehicles that teens drive. Teens would also have to use them. For the parental notification features, parents need to monitor the alerts and take relevant action.

All three are likely to be serious hurdles.

“Lack of access and lack of acceptance are two major barriers preventing these technologies from delivering on their full potential,” says Mueller. “Manufacturers should include these features in more vehicles and do a better job of communicating the benefits to parents and teens.”

See more on the research here.