The percentage of teens in high school who drink and drive has decreased by more than half since 1991.

According to new research released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a 54% drop in teenage drinking and driving in the last twenty years.

But officials say much more needs to be done.

The study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that nearly one million high school teens drank alcohol and got behind the wheel in 2011.

Factors that help to keep teens safe include parental involvement, minimum legal drinking age and zero tolerance laws, and graduated driver licensing systems.  CDC says these steps can protect the lives of more young drivers and everyone who shares the road with them.

Teen drivers are three times more likely than more experienced drivers to be in a fatal crash. Drinking any alcohol greatly increases that risk for teenagers.