Introduction: Young unlicensed drivers' involvement in fatal crashes is a recurrent problem in the United States.
Methods: This descriptive study extracted cross-sectional data on fatal crashes from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 1998 to 2002. Young unlicensed driver fatal crashes are examined by age, gender, and region.
Results: There were 2,452 young unlicensed driver fatal crashes representing 10.8% of all young drivers' fatal crashes. By age, 72.5% are over 15 years, males are involved in 74.5%, and southern and western states have a higher percent of young unlicensed driver fatal crashes.
Conclusions: Subgroups of young people based on their age, gender, and region are over-represented in fatal crashes as unlicensed drivers. Further studies are needed to investigate the context and factors of young unlicensed drivers, essential to tailor interventions.
Impact on industry: Young unlicensed drivers circumvent the established licensing process and pose a serious threat to themselves and other road users.