With driver’s licenses in hand, teens may think they’re road-ready, safe drivers. But tapping the brakes to consider how the adolescent brain develops might be a good idea. Young drivers whose brain function lags behind that of their peers are more likely to report having a car crash. That’s the finding of a new study.
Globally, car crashes and road injuries are leading causes of death among adolescents. In the United States, for instance, the youngest drivers have the highest rate of crashes and driving-related injuries.