AAA is reminding parents and teens to be aware of the sharp increase in teen fatalities from auto accidents that happens each year during the “100 Deadliest Days” — the span of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Teen driver statistics
According to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 13,135 people in the U.S. have been killed in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019-2023. Over 30% of those deaths occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days. An average of 8 people are killed per day in teen-involved driving crashes in the summer compared to 7 per day during the rest of the year.
The National Road Safety Foundation points out several reasons why teen fatalities increase during the 100 Deadliest Days.
- School is out and teens are spending more time behind the wheel.
- The inexperience of teen drivers.
- Distracted driving accounts for 60% of teen crashes. Distraction includes, but is not limited to, multiple passengers, phones, and eating/drinking.
- Speeding is a factor in nearly 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers (AAA).
- Drunk driving. Even though the national drinking age is 21, some teens still drink and drive.
Steps parents can take to increase safe teen driving behavior
- Set very specific household rules around driving. Talk with teens early and often about being safe behind the wheel. This can include creating a parent/child driving contract that relates to things like:
- Everyone buckles up for every trip.
- Never drive impaired. It’s not only dangerous, but also a crime.
- Teen passengers are the biggest distraction to teen drivers, and cell phones are second. Set rules covering these and other potential distractions.
- Follow posted speed limits.
- Limit nighttime driving, which is riskier for novice drivers. Drowsy driving is also an issue for many teens who don’t get enough sleep.
- Enroll your teen in online and in-person driving classes. Make sure they get at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving under a variety of conditions.
- Be sure you know your state’s laws regarding passenger restrictions for teen drivers.
- Teach your teen defensive driving skills. Making these skills a habit can help reduce the chances of an accident. Pick up tips online or find a formal course.
- Consider a “do not disturb” rule. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also has new research that finds when the “do not disturb” feature on teens’ phones are activated to silence distractions, it can be effective in reducing interactions with their smartphones when driving. Distracted driving is a major safety concern.
- Be a positive example: Maintain appropriate space around your vehicle, adjust your speed to conditions, and adhere to the same guidelines you give your teen.
Helpful resources
- For talking points to use with your teens and more in-depth driving tips, download the free Passport to Safe Driving toolkit from The National Road Safety Foundation.
- For guidance on drawing up a contract with your teen, check out this sample parent/teen driving agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Remember, teens’ inexperience behind the wheel makes them more likely to engage in risky behavior. It’s critical for parents to play an active role in guiding their teens to embrace safe driving behaviors.