NEW YORK (WBNG) — On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles announced it earned the top ranking nationwide for teen driver safety for the third year in a row, according to an annual evaluation from personal finance site WalletHub.
The 2026 study evaluated all 50 states across 23 safety metrics, accident rates and roadway regulations using federal and traffic safety data.
State metrics showed strong performance in critical safety indicators, placing second overall in both general safety and effective driving laws.
“As a father of two young daughters, I take our responsibility for safety of our youngest drivers seriously, and hopefully this study reassures parents that New York is leading the way when it comes to road safety,” said New York State DMV Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt.
New York recorded the fourth-lowest rates for both teen road fatalities per capita and behind-the-wheel phone use, alongside the third-fewest teen DUI arrests per capita and the nation’s highest concentration of driving schools.
Despite the favorable rankings, federal data shows motor vehicle collisions remain a leading cause of death for teenagers between 16 and 19 years old.
State figures from 2024 indicate that drivers aged 16 to 20 accounted for 7% of vehicular crashes despite representing only 4% of all New York licensed motorists.
“Because most crashes involving teen drivers are the result of inexperience, inattention, impairment and nighttime driving, the state has adopted a series of programs and rules to target these risky practices,” Jackstadt said.
In addition to educational programming, law enforcement agencies boost patrols around secondary schools to enforce graduated licensing regulations, which gradually expand driving privileges as minors gain experience.
“We’re thrilled to achieve this ranking, and we will continue to educate young people to prepare them to be safer and more responsible drivers,” Jackstadt said.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) website provides many resources for teens and parents, including a young driver’s toolkit.
Visit the NYS DMV’s website for more details on GTSC programs and resources.
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