New Jersey is participating in National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from October 19 to 25, 2025. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety made the announcement, emphasizing the importance of ongoing conversations between parents and teen drivers about safe driving habits.
Attorney General Platkin stated, “New teen drivers are still gaining experience every time they get behind the wheel. It’s critical for parents especially to model safe driving behaviors themselves and have discussions with their teens about making safe choices behind the wheel.”
Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, added, “Motor vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for young people, and their time behind the wheel is particularly dangerous. Parents and other adults play a critical role in teaching teen drivers safe driving habits.”
Data from 2023 shows that 2,611 people nationwide died in traffic crashes involving teen drivers. New Jersey has one of the lowest rates of teen driver fatalities in the country, due in part to its Graduated Driver’s License law. However, over the past ten years, there have been 650 deaths in New Jersey related to crashes involving teen drivers; this includes 287 teen drivers and 67 passengers who were teens.
National Teen Driver Safety Week is coordinated with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA provides guidance for families on discussing risky behaviors such as alcohol or drug use while driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving, speeding, or carrying passengers. Research indicates that teens whose parents set clear rules for driving tend to take fewer risks on the road and are involved in fewer accidents.
Both teens and parents are encouraged to understand New Jersey’s rules and restrictions for new drivers as part of efforts to improve safety.
