Teen drivers caused over 80,000 crashes and 323 deaths in Florida during 2024

Traffic crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States. The numbers here in Florida are raising concerns about the dangers young drivers face.“Probably like anybody watching this show, you think it’s never going to happen to you, until it does,” Tammy Guido McGee, whose son was killed by a teen driver, said.She said for many teenagers, getting behind the wheel is a major milestone, but that new freedom comes with serious risks.The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 2,611 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver nationwide, with more than 170,000 injured.Here in Florida, the numbers are also alarming.The Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition reports that teen drivers were involved in more than 80,000 crashes in 2024. Those crashes resulted in 323 deaths and nearly 1,800 serious injuries.McGee said that teens driving with too many passengers in the car is the number one cause of crashes for them.“If