A new study revealed that North Carolina experiences the fifth highest overall risk for teen speeding crashes at night in the United States.
The research conducted by a personal injury law firm Kuzyk Law analyzed 10 years of Federal Crash Data Query Tool (CDAN) records from 2014–2023 to identify the top 10 states with the highest risk of young driver speeding crashes occurring at night. The study examined average young driver speeding crashes and year-over-year percentage changes from 2022 to 2023, combining these factors into a comprehensive Young Driver Night Speeding Risk Score out of 100.
North Carolina ranks fifth with a Young Driver Night Speeding Risk Score of 23 out of 100. With a population of 10,379,669, the Tar Heel State recorded an average of 38 night-time teen speeding crashes, equating to 3.61 crashes per million residents. Crashes increased 36% from 2022 to 2023, resulting in a Young Driver Speeding Crash Surge Score of 4 out of 40. North Carolina earned a Young Driver Speeding Crash Score of 19 out of 60, indicating a moderate but rising night-time speeding risk.
Looking at the study, Mark Anderson – attorney at Kuzyk Law, commented,
“Nighttime driving creates a perfect storm for teen drivers–reduced visibility, higher speeds, fewer vehicles on the road, and a greater likelihood of risk-taking behavior. When these factors combine, even a single mistake can turn fatal.
“Parents and policymakers must recognize that night-time speeding isn’t just a phase–it’s a statistically proven danger. Graduated licensing enforcement, night driving restrictions, and targeted speed enforcement could prevent countless tragedies involving young drivers.”
What Parents and Young Drivers in High-Risk States Should Know
Safety experts urge families and young drivers in states with elevated night-time teen speeding risks to take proactive steps before driving after dark:
- Limit night-time driving for teens – especially late evenings and weekends, when speeding-related crashes are more likely to occur.
- Enforce strict speed rules – even modest speeding dramatically increases crash severity at night.
- Avoid distractions after dark – reduced visibility makes phone use and in-car distractions even more dangerous.
- Choose safer routes – well-lit roads with lower speed limits can significantly reduce crash risk.
- Speak openly about consequences – clear conversations about real-world risks can help curb dangerous driving behavior.
| Top 10 U.S. States Most Dangerous for Teen Speeding at Night | ||
| States | Young Driver Night Speeding Risk Score out of 100 | Rank |
| Texas | 59 | 1 |
| California | 53 | 2 |
| West Virginia | 42 | 3 |
| Montana | 30 | 4 |
| North Carolina | 23 | 5 |
| Missouri | 22 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 7 |
| Alaska | 18.3 | 8 |
| Arizona | 17.6 | 9 |
| South Carolina | 16.8 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Kuzyk Law, a law firm specializing in representation for car accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, bike, pedestrian, and catastrophic injury claims. With over four decades of experience and a track record serving 100,000+ clients, they offer free consultations and no upfront fees.
Methodology
This investigation analyzed a decade of federal crash data (2014–2023) sourced from the Federal Crash Data Query Tool (CDAN). Nighttime crashes involving young drivers where speeding was a contributing factor were isolated and averaged annually. Data was then adjusted using U.S. Census Bureau population figures to calculate crashes per million residents. Year-over-year percentage changes from 2022 to 2023 were assessed separately. States were ranked using a combined risk score that weighted both per-capita crash rates and surge trends, allowing fair comparison across all 50 states regardless of population size.
Data Sources
- Data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query
- Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JQPzAKju3Faf0Bxfkhbyyp1KVHiXOf2tnpU1OhVH0x4/edit?gid=0#gid=0
