A teen driver's crash risk is higher when driving during which period?

• A. Between 9 pm and 6 am
• B. Morning rush hour
• C. Weekend afternoons
• D. Holiday periods

Answer: (A)

Nighttime driving is when teen crash risk is highest. From 9 pm to 6 am, visibility is reduced, making it harder to see other cars, pedestrians, and hazards. Teens also have less driving experience and are more prone to slower reactions and risky behaviors, such as speeding or driving with peers in the car, which increases distraction. Fatigue after late activities can further impair judgment and concentration, compounding the danger.

Other periods—like morning rush hour with heavy traffic, weekend afternoons with social driving, or holiday periods with more trips—do carry risk, but the combination of low visibility, fatigue, and inexperience makes late-night driving the most dangerous for teen drivers.