Inexperience alone makes teenagers risky and dangerous behind the wheel.   But is there something more about adolescence and automobiles that together create a toxic mix?   Statistically, the peril inherent to teen driving is real. Motor-vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people age 16 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention.   Distractions are an issue for all drivers but most especially for teenagers. In 2019, 39% of high school students admitted to texting or emailing from their phones while driving, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. Researchers also reported that teens who self-report regarding phone use while driving "also engage in other risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, running red lights, and impatiently passing another car."   Location also plays a role in just how dangerous it may be for teen drivers. When WalletHub compiled its 2024 study of best and worst places in the U.S. for teen drivers, researchers took into account more than two dozen data points related to driver safety including geographically-specific teen driver fatalities, teen traffic violations, seatbelt use and local driving laws.   The slideshow above illustrates the states in the U.S. deemed by WalletHub to be the worst for teen drivers.   "Teens are not only new at driving, but they may also be less cognitively mature," Dan Romer, a doctor and Research Director at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center told WalletHub. "As a result, they may be challenged in situations that involve lots of complex cues, such as negotiating intersections, knowing how to merge onto highways, driving on wet surfaces, and paying attention to road signs that signal hazards ahead. As they gain more experience, they are more able to handle these situations without taking up a lot of mental effort. Getting trained by a professional driving instructor can increase the chances that such experience is gained before becoming an independent driver."   See also:

• Best states for teen drivers in 2024
• The pros and cons of adding a teen driver to your auto policy
• Most affordable car insurance for new teen drivers
• 6 ways to save money on insurance for teen drivers