Virginia Teen Driving Fatalities Have Increased

State officials have mandated safety presentations as teen traffic deaths rise across Virginia.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Teens

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a singular, minimalist traffic signal pole against a wide horizon, symbolizing institutional safety initiatives. — Virginia state officials have mandated new safety presentations for parents and teens following a spike in traffic fatalities among drivers aged 15 to 19. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Partners for Safe Teen Driving program now requires students and parents to attend a mandatory safety presentation. This initiative follows a rise in traffic fatalities among Virginia teens aged 15 to 19.

Why it matters

The new requirement aims to curb a recent spike in teen driver deaths. Officials hope the mandatory educational component will improve safety habits and reduce risky behavior behind the wheel.

Virginia recorded 39 teen driver fatalities between January and September 2026, up from 33 in the prior year. Students must complete one of five mandatory safety presentations to receive a DEC-1 card for behind-the-wheel training.

The players

Partners for Safe Teen Driving

This is a mandatory Virginia program that requires students and their parents to attend safety presentations to qualify for behind-the-wheel training.

The details

To complete the requirement, students and their parents must attend one of five scheduled presentations. Instructors are emphasizing safe habits such as storing mobile phones in the glove compartment while operating a vehicle.

From January to September 2025, there were 33 teen driver deaths in Virginia.
From January to September 2026, there were 39 teen driver deaths in Virginia.
Four additional safety presentations are scheduled for the fall of 2026 in Roanoke.

Roadmap

This mandate builds upon the Virginia Graduated Driver's License program by adding a direct educational requirement for families. It reflects a shift toward increased oversight of novice drivers as states respond to changing teen crash trends.

Students must attend one of the five required presentations to earn their DEC-1 card and proceed with driver training. Parents should plan to attend these sessions with their teens to remain compliant with state requirements.

The takeaway

Distracted driving remains a critical concern for novice motorists as traffic fatalities continue to climb. Families should proactively review state safety guidelines to ensure students are fully prepared for behind-the-wheel training.