Study Identifies Worst Drivers by Generation

Millennials are the worst drivers in the nation, according to a recent generational analysis from a team of auto accident attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner Ltd. Specifically, people between the ages of 25 and 34 accounted for the most car accidents, the most fatal car accidents, and the second-highest percentage of distracted drivers.

To determine how various generations of Americans fared as drivers, the research team evaluated age groups on a number of factors based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These factors included the number of car crashes, the number of fatal car crashes, the prevalence of dangerous driving behaviors, speeding drivers in fatal crashes, and blood alcohol content in drivers in fatal crashes.

What the NHTSA Found

The findings conclude that millennials tend to be worse drivers than both their younger and older counterparts. The second worst drivers according to age group are people between the ages of 35 and 44. The analysis found this group to be responsible for the second most alcohol-related speeding crashes.

The newest generation, Gen Zers, appear to drive safer than several other age groups. Gen Z drivers include people 16 to 24 years of age.

While Gen Zers average 44 car accidents per 100,000 drivers, this correlates to only a 6% chance of a car accident — the second lowest percentage of car accidents as compared to all age groups. Moreover, Gen Zers boast the fewest fatal car accidents. On the downside, these young drivers can be easily distracted and are also likely to speed.

However, the percentage of accidents involving speeding drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 while under the influence of alcohol is one of the lowest at 20%. Once drivers reach the drinking age, there’s an immediate increase to 40%.

Noteworthy and perhaps surprising, the analysis finds that Baby Boomers between the ages of 63 and 72 are the best drivers. Baby boomers average just 14 accidents per 100,000 drivers — with the fewest car accidents of all age groups. Moreover, the data shows that Baby Boomers have the fewest instances of distracted driving, which claimed the lives of some 3,522 people in 2021 alone, according to NHTSA.