The latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data indicates that fatality and crash rates among teen drivers have been increasing over the past few years. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern that discussed the results from two BTSCRP reports that used naturalistic driving data to gain a broader understanding of the risks facing teen drivers. Presenters shared evidence on how the amount of time spent with supervised experience in different roadway environments can improve safety outcomes once teens begin driving independently. Presenters also discussed how distraction, specifically “eyes off the road,” changes with driving experience and why attention to the forward roadway is especially critical for teen learners. Newly-published findings compare risky driving and crash rates with for teens with distraction factors like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
This webinar was based on BTSCRP Research Report 13: Outcomes of Variability in Teen Driving Experience and Exposure: Evidence from the Naturalistic Driving Study and BTSCRP Research Report 15: Teen Driving Performance Associated with Distraction, ADHD, and Other Risk Factors.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Safety variability in teen driving experience and exposure – Charlie Klauer, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
• Teen driving performance associated with distraction and other risk factors – Lesheng Hua, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
• Question and answer session moderated by Johnathon Ehsani, Johns Hopkins University

The first 40 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 20 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Connect of the amount of supervised practice driving and exposure to many different types of roadway environments to safety outcomes during independent driving
• Identify the risk of “eyes off road” time by phases of driving experience

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.