Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and a period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers,” which runs through Labor Day weekend, according to an AAA-The Auto Club Group news release.
“The risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA in the release. “Now that school is out, these young, inexperienced drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
Last year in Florida, teenagers were involved in nearly 20,000 crashes during these 100 days — 68 crashes were fatal, resulting in 83 deaths.
The people killed in these crashes are not always the teen driver, but it can be their passengers or anyone else on the road, said Jenkins.
Traffic crashes are the leading causes of death for teens ages 16 to 19. Common risk factors for teen drivers include: distracted driving (cellphones, in-vehicle infotainment systems, passengers); driving with teen passengers; speeding; and not wearing a safety belt.
AAA encourages parents to be more involved to help their teens become safe drivers and offers these tips:
- Lead by example: minimize risky behavior, wear a seatbelt, avoid distractions.
- Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving in a variety of conditions: inclement weather, busy interstates, nighttime.
- Teach defensive driving skills to avoid road hazards.
- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement to set family rules on when a teen can drive, where they can go and with who. Outline the consequences if rules are not adhered to.
To learn more, visit AAA.com/Drive, email , or call 888-222-7108.
Published June 05, 2024
