(Cincinnati, Oh.)--The Ohio State Highway Patrol says motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in Ohio's teens.
The state patrol says 15 percent of all traffic crashes in Ohio the last three years involved drivers 15 to 19 years old.
Crashes involving teens during 2014, to 2016, resulted in nearly 300 deaths and more than 41,000 injuries. An action on the part of a teen driver contributed to more than 72 percent of those crashes, mostly because they were following too closely or not keeping enough distance.
National Teen Driving Safety Week, is October 15-21, 2017 prompting state troopers to urge parents to speak with their kids about the dangers new drivers face, especially distracted driving.
The greatest dangers for teen drivers include alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers.