Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. *Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.
Road safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Teen Driving Safety: A Guide for Parents and Teens
Handing over the keys is a big step. Here is what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says about teen crash risk, the rules that help most, and how parents can coach a new driver.
2,320People killed in 2024 crashes involving a teen driver (NHTSA)
51%Of teen drivers who died in 2024 were unbuckled
2xNovice teens vs. adults: likelihood of a fatal crash
Up to 50%Crash-risk reduction from graduated licensing
The short answer
New teen drivers have the highest crash rates of any age group in their first 6 months of solo driving. Buckle up every trip, put the phone away, limit passengers, follow the speed limit, never drive impaired, and use graduated licensing and plenty of supervised practice. Parents help most by setting written rules and modeling them.
Why teen drivers are at higher risk
NHTSA says teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of immaturity, lack of skills and lack of experience. Novice teen drivers are twice as likely as adult drivers to be in a fatal crash, and car crashes are a leading cause of death for 15- to 18-year-olds. In 2024, 2,320 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver (15-18 years old).
Teens rarely crash while an adult is supervising, but NHTSA says they have the highest crash rates of any age group during the first 6 months of unsupervised driving after full licensure.
The biggest dangers, and the rules that help
Seat belts
Seat belt use is lowest among teen drivers. 51% of teen drivers who died in 2024 were unbuckled, and when the teen driver was unbuckled, nine out of 10 passengers who died were too.
Phones
One in three teens who text say they have done it while driving. NHTSA says dialing raises crash risk six times and texting raises it 23 times.
Passengers
Teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to take risks with one teen passenger than alone, and three times with multiple passengers.
Speeding
Speeding was a factor for 33% of teen passenger vehicle drivers (15-18) in 2024 fatal crashes.
Alcohol and drugs
22% of 15- to 18-year-old passenger vehicle drivers in 2024 fatal crashes had been drinking. Drivers under 21 face zero-tolerance laws.
Drowsiness
Drivers 17-23, those who sleep under six hours, and anyone driving between midnight and 6 a.m. face higher risk. Drowsy driving claimed 644 lives in 2024.
NHTSA's rules for teens: don't drive impaired; buckle up and make sure passengers do too; keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and mind on driving; follow the posted speed limit; and limit passengers. Indiana's own phone rule is covered in our Indiana hands-free driving law guide.
What parents can do
- Learn your state's graduated driver licensing (GDL) law. NHTSA says GDL systems can reduce a teen's crash risk by as much as 50%.
- Restrict night driving and passengers, prohibit phone use behind the wheel, and require seat belts every trip.
- Practice driving together, and don't rely on driver's education alone.
- Be a role model. In a Liberty Mutual and SADD study cited by NHTSA, 41% of teens said their parents keep unsafe habits such as texting while driving even after the teen asks them to stop.
- Put the rules in writing with the CDC's Parent-Teen Driving Contract, and spell them out: no cell phones, passengers, speeding, alcohol or driving when tired, and always buckle up.
- Consider holding off on buying your teen a new car. NHTSA cites a GHSA study finding teens speed more in their own vehicles.
NHTSA's recommended licensing stages
All 50 states and DC have a three-stage GDL system, but the details vary. These are NHTSA's recommended provisions, not Indiana law; check the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles for the state's current requirements.
| Stage | NHTSA recommends |
|---|---|
| 1. Learner's permit | Minimum age no younger than 16; vision and knowledge tests; a licensed adult at least 21 in the vehicle at all times; 30 to 50 hours of parent-certified practice; 6 months crash- and conviction-free to advance |
| 2. Intermediate license | Minimum age 16.5; a licensed adult required from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. (limited exceptions); no more than one teen passenger for the first 12 months, then two until 18; 6 months crash- and conviction-free to advance |
| 3. Full license | Minimum age 18 to lift passenger and nighttime limits; zero alcohol and a visually distinctive license for drivers under 21 |
NHTSA also recommends seat belts for all occupants in stage 1, and zero alcohol and no portable electronic devices in the first two stages.
Service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Michigan City Ford is a new and used Ford dealership in Michigan City, IN, with its own service department.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | No Sunday hours listed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026.
Teen driving FAQ
Why are teen drivers more likely to crash?
NHTSA says teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes mainly because of immaturity, lack of skills and lack of experience. Novice teens are twice as likely as adults to be in a fatal crash.
When are new teen drivers most at risk?
NHTSA says novice teens have the highest crash rates of all age groups during the first 6 months of unsupervised driving after full licensure.
Do teen passengers make driving riskier?
Yes. NHTSA reports teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to take risks with one teen passenger than when driving alone, and three times with multiple passengers.
Does graduated licensing work?
NHTSA says a three-stage graduated driver licensing system can reduce a teen's crash risk by as much as 50%. All 50 states and DC have one.
How many teen drivers who died in 2024 were unbuckled?
NHTSA reports 51% of teen passenger vehicle drivers who died in 2024 were not wearing seat belts.
More road safety guides
See our guides to Indiana's hands-free law, drowsy driving and night driving.
Sources
Statistics, rules, parent tips and licensing recommendations are from NHTSA's Teen Driving page, read November 10, 2026, which cites GHSA, the CDC, and Liberty Mutual and SADD. Indiana licensing rules can differ; check the Indiana BMV. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- NHTSA: Teen Driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026