What characteristic often makes teens less skilled and cautious drivers?

Teens often exhibit a combination of inexperience and a lack of exposure to various driving situations, which significantly impacts their driving skills and caution. Inexperience refers to the limited time they have spent behind the wheel and the relatively few encounters they have had with different driving conditions, such as adverse weather or heavy traffic. This lack of familiarity can lead to poor judgment and decision-making on the road.

While experience generally contributes to better driving skills, in the case of teenagers, their limited experience can create a hazardous situation. Maturity also plays a role; however, this is closely linked to how experience influences their ability to assess risks and make safe driving choices. Together, inexperience and the resulting deficits in driving experience can lead to less skillful and more reckless behaviors, making them more prone to accidents.