Why is Colorado a Bad State For Teen Drivers?

Do you remember when you were a teenager, counting down the days until you could take your driving test, get your license, and finally drive without your parents in the car? We all dreamed about freedom, going on road trips, and being able to go to our friends' houses without our parents having to take us everywhere. Do you remember when you were learning to drive, though, and how scary it was the first time you got on the interstate, almost hitting a car when parking for the first time, or almost hitting the building when going through a drive-thru? When it comes to teen drivers, is Colorado a bad state for them or a good one, and which states are the best and worst for teen drivers?

The Best and Worst States for Teen Drivers

Teen drivers can be scary to be on the road with. These young drivers are often overconfident, distracted, and immature behind the wheel. We all were there once, though, and had to learn how to drive properly. A recent study by WalletHub ranked the best and worst states for teen drivers and used categories such as safety, economic environment, and driving laws to do so. Using these criteria, it was determined that New York is the best state for teen drivers, with Oregon being the second best, and New Jersey rounding out the top three. The worst state for teen drivers is Montana, with Missouri being the second worst, and Mississippi rounding out the bottom three. Where does Colorado fall on this list, and should drivers be worried about teens behind the wheel in the Centennial State?

How Are Teen Drivers in Colorado?

Teen drivers in Colorado are not among the best in the country, but luckily for other drivers, they are not the worst either. Colorado is the 12th worst state for teen drivers, ranking 9th worst in safety, 38th overall in economic environment, and 22nd in driving laws. None of these rankings are good and make the state not ideal for teens learning to drive. The curvy roads in the mountains and open roads in the country likely play a factor as well. Adding to the ranking is that Colorado has the 2nd highest average cost for car repairs. If your teen wrecks their car, it will cost a decent amount to get it fixed and means they might be without a vehicle for a while.

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Do you think teens are reckless and bad drivers in Colorado, or do you think most do a decent job? To see the full study, make sure to click the link in the second paragraph above.

20 Things You Should Never Do When Driving in Colorado

Colorado and I-70 are home to some pretty crazy motorists. While Colorado may not be the state with the most reckless drivers or accidents, there are plenty of things people do on the roads that drive us all nuts. Sound off on things you see Colorado drivers doing that would upset anybody.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

Winter Driving Tips for Colorado Drivers

Driving during winter in Colorado presents unique conditions that most winter drivers never experience in other states. To ensure your safety, as well as others, follow these useful tips.

Gallery Credit: Tim Gray