Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. Nationwide
in 2019, there were 2,042 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver, of which 628 deaths were the teen
driver. Louisiana State Police urge parents to have conversations with their teens about the important rules they
need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen
drivers: alcohol, no seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding and number of passengers in their vehicle.
Facts about Teen Driver Fatalities in Louisiana:
In 2020, there were 95 teens (15-20 years old) killed in crashes
In the same period, there were 8,287 teens injured in crashes
Of these crashes, 188 involved alcohol
The risk of motor vehicle crashes is highest among 16-19 year olds
In an effort to combat these unexpected, permanent, and preventable tragedies, Louisiana State Police teamed
up with University Medical Center in New Orleans over twenty years ago, and developed the Sudden Impact
program. Through the Sudden Impact program, troopers and medical staff from area hospitals throughout the
entire state are able to provide real-world experiences to new, inexperienced drivers in an effort to show them the
reality of what can happen behind the wheel if poor decisions are made. This program gives young drivers the
tools and needed knowledge to avoid getting in dangerous situations that can lead to an unexpected, permanent,
and preventable tragedy.
For more information on the Sudden Impact program or other safe driving presentations available to schools,
clubs, civic organizations or businesses, please contact your local Louisiana State Police Troop Public
Information Officer at www.LSP.org under the “About Us” tab and use the interactive map located in “Troop
Information”; you can also message us on our Facebook page.
