Miami – Florida teen drivers have been involved in more traffic accidents and fatalities than adults behind the wheel despite a requirement to pass a standard safety road test to earn their driver’s licenses.

By David L. Snelling

New teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

According to a study conducted by the personal injury law firm Anidjar and Levine, Florida is ranked No. 6 in the nation with one of the highest rates of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

In 2019, Florida teen drivers were involved in 60,135 crashes, and accounted for 279 fatalities and 2,200 serious injuries.

According to the study, Florida has 679,238 licensed drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 who were involved in most accidents from 2019 to 2023.

Over the five-year period, the state recorded an average of 403 fatal crashes per year involving teen drivers.

The study discovered several factors causing vehicle crashes including lack of driving experience, speeding, alcohol and substance abuse, distractions like texting, aggressive driving, roadway conditions and operating a vehicle at night.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), 2021 saw the most traffic fatalities involving teens at 111 in two years, compared to 27 for adults.

In addition, Florida teen drivers are more likely to be involved in bicyclist and pedestrian crash fatalities.

In the past seven years, 2023 saw the lowest number of deaths with 60 and the highest in 2021 and 2020 which remained steady at 78.

Nationally, teen drivers were involved in about 1,512,475 crashes resulting in 7,910 fatalities and 451,006 serious injuries in 2023, with drivers aged 16 and 17 having the highest crash rate.

Many state and local DMV policies altered the licensing process, with some states making it more difficult and others making it easier for teens to legally get behind the wheel.

A new state law which commenced July 1, 2025, first time teenage drivers are now required to pass a driver’s education test and complete safety courses to receive their learner’s permit.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new bill into law which adds an extra state-approved requirement for teenagers between ages 15 and 17 before they can drive.

Senate Bill 994, which was sponsored by Hillsborough County state Sen.Jarrid Collins, also requires teens to get parental approval, complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course, pass a vision and hearing test as well as a written driver exam.

After driving under a learner’s license for a year, or reaching age 18, they can obtain a Florida driver’s license.

FLHSMV requires a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult over 21 years old to complete a Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form, certifying the driver has 50 hours of driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.

The driver must also pass a driving skills test.

Collins said the bill aims to improve the educational requirements for obtaining both a standard driver’s license and a learner’s driver’s license in Florida by enhancing the focus on comprehensive driver education.

He said teenage drivers are involved in more traffic accidents in Florida than adults and need to pass safety requirements and complete traffic law and substance abuse education classes to curb fatalities.

State Rep. Michelle Salzman of Escambia County sponsored the House version of the bill.