MONTGOMERY– The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is encouraging parents to take an active role in teen driver safety. National Teen Driver Safety Week runs October 18-24.

ALEA is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in reminding families to establish clear expectations before teenagers get behind the wheel. The agencies also emphasize that parents should demonstrate the safe habits they expect their children to follow.

For new drivers, earning a license brings independence. However, inexperience, distractions, and risky decisions can increase the danger of a serious crash.

Alabama Crash Figures Highlight the Stakes

According to ALEA, Alabama recorded 23,626 crashes involving teenagers in 2025, including 96 fatal crashes. Meanwhile, figures available as of October 2026 showed 18,161 crashes involving teenagers statewide, including 71 fatal crashes.

Those figures came from the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama. The fatal-crash totals include crashes in which someone other than the teenager died.

Nationally, 752 drivers ages 15 to 18 died in traffic crashes in 2024, according to NHTSA. The agency also identifies traffic crashes as a leading cause of death for that age group.

Six Habits Families Should Discuss

ALEA encourages parents and teen drivers to focus on six safety priorities:

• Buckle up on every trip. Make sure everyone in the vehicle uses a seat belt, including back-seat passengers.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Parents should also make clear that impaired driving is dangerous at any age.
• Put distractions away. Phones, texting, makeup, and other activities can take attention away from driving.
• Obey speed limits. Speeding reduces the time an inexperienced driver has to react to a hazard.
• Limit extra passengers because they can distract a new driver.
• Get enough rest because fatigue can increase the risk of a serious crash.

The national figures also show why those conversations matter. In 2024, speeding was a factor for 33% of passenger-vehicle teen drivers involved in fatal crashes. In addition, 22% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.

Parents Set the Example

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor encouraged parents to combine clear rules with responsible behavior behind the wheel. He also emphasized teaching safe habits before teenagers begin driving independently.

Meanwhile, ALEA Department of Public Safety Director Col. Jeremy Burkett described notifying families after fatal crashes as among a trooper’s most difficult responsibilities. He urged young drivers to slow down, put their phones away, and make responsible choices.

Parents can also use the observance to review Alabama’s Graduated Driver License requirements with their teenagers. Those requirements address supervised driving, restricted licenses, passengers, nighttime driving, and handheld communication devices.

ALEA also encourages families to maintain open communication and stay involved in their teenagers’ driving habits. Although the observance lasts one week, the agencies urge parents to keep discussing safe driving throughout the year.

STATE NEWS