As the school year winds down and summer begins, so will the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer”—a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatality rates, especially those involving teen drivers, experience a sharp rise.
Statistics show that the summer months inspire a surge in traffic accidents, particularly those involving young, inexperienced drivers. With more teens out of school and on the road, there’s a significant increase in distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving and nighttime travel. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during this 100-day stretch.
To add to the chaotic nature of this time, warmer weather means more road trips, more people on vacation and more vehicles on highways generally. Drivers may be traveling on unfamiliar roads or driving long hours without adequate rest. Additionally, construction zones are more common in summer, and pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are more likely to be out and about—further increasing the potential for serious collisions.
What can be done?
Now is the time for parents to talk to their teen drivers about safety and responsibility. Setting clear rules about seat belt use, speed limits, cellphone restrictions and curfews can save lives. Parents should also consider setting limits on the number of passengers a teen can have in the car, as peer distractions are a leading cause of crashes in this age group.
When accidents do happen, the consequences can be life-altering. Victims of serious crashes may face long recovery periods, lost income, and overwhelming medical bills. In the most tragic cases, families are left grieving loved ones due to another driver’s carelessness. As such, the need to guard against these kinds of tragic scenarios cannot be overemphasized.
As the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer come near, do what you can to teach your teen to stay alert, drive responsibly and encourage others—especially other young drivers—to do the same. If tragedy strikes despite their best efforts, your family can turn to an experienced legal team for help.