(WKYT) – Kentucky ranks number one in the nation for teen fatal crashes during the back-to-school season, according to newly released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The data showed that during August and September from 2020 to 2024, Kentucky recorded a fatal crash rate of more than 50 deaths per 100,000 licensed teen drivers.
he rate is six times higher than the national average.
While the commonwealth has a relatively small pool of licensed teens, 31 drivers aged 16 to 18 were killed in these two months over the past five years.
Second place Mississippi is far below Kentucky, averaging only 18 fatal crashes per 100,000 teen drivers to Kentucky’s 50.
Some factors that the NHTSA points to include Kentucky’s rural road conditions. States with similar roadways are far below Kentucky’s numbers.