Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer and a dangerous time of year for young drivers. Nationwide, more than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during what’s called the “100 Deadliest Days” – a period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to statistics from AAA.
“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night. Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors – like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt. AAA urges parents to model safe driving behavior and reinforce safe driving habits with their teen drivers to help keep them safe this summer.”
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 16-19. For every mile driven, new drivers ages 16–17 are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults. And, on average, over 600 of the 2,000 deadly crashes involving teens occur during the 100 Deadliest Days. In Florida, 153 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes on average each year, and 40 occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
Common risk factors for teen drivers include: Distracted driving: Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of ten teen crashes. Electronics like cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the secondbiggest distraction to teen drivers. The biggest distractions are teen passengers.
Driving with teen passengers: Research shows that the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA). Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving.
Speeding: It’s is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
Not wearing a safety belt: Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.
“The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their ‘learning to drive’ process,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Education Programs, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be a great teacher, it also helps to seek out professional training courses.”
Some ideas for parents: Lead by example: Minimize risky behavior when you drive. Don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. Your driving skills and judgment behind the wheel shape your child’s view of safe driving habits, even before they’re old enough to drive. Make safe driving a priority in your own life.
Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving: Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions including inclement weather, busy interstates, and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.
Teach defensive driving skills: Help your teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice for how to safely avoid them.
Establish a parent-teen driving agreement: It sets family rules like when the teen can drive, where they can go and with whom. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safe.
