The 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers Have Begun

May 29, 2024

Nik Rajkovic / [email protected]

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and a period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Driving,” which runs through Labor Day weekend. We live in a time where the number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers is increasing.

“The risk increases during the summer for teen drivers and everyone they share the road with,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As the school year ends, these young, inexperienced drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

According to the NHTSA, nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 deadliest days. In total, nearly 6,700 people were killed during this period, from 2013 to 2022. In 2022 alone, 707 people were killed in these types of accidents, an increase of 10% compared to 2019 , before the pandemic.

National Teen Driver Statistics:

• On average, 2,146 teenagers are involved in fatal accidents each year.

o 670 (31%) of them occur during the deadliest 100 days.

• These accidents cause an average of 2,390 deaths per year.

o 744 of these deaths occur during the 100 deadliest days.

In Michigan:

• On average, 63 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes each year.

o 23 (36%) of them occur during the 100 deadliest days.

• These accidents cause an average of 68 deaths per year.

o 25 (36%) of these deaths occur during the 100 deadliest days.

“The important thing to understand is that the people killed in these crashes are not always the teen drivers, but it could be their passengers or anyone else they encounter on the road,” Woodland continued.

“AAA is sharing this information to remind all drivers to stay alert while driving this summer. We also encourage parents to have a serious discussion with their teen about the importance of safe driving.

Road accidents are the leading cause of death among adolescents aged 16 to 19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers (aged 16 to 17) are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than adults.

• Distracted driving. Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of ten teen accidents. Electronic devices like cell phones and in-car infotainment systems are considered the second biggest distraction for teen drivers. The biggest distractions are the teenage passengers.

• Driving with teenage passengers. Research shows that the risk of a fatal accident increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car (NHTSA). The presence of other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and incentives to engage in unsafe habits like speeding and aggressive driving.

• Speeding. Speed ​​is a factor in nearly 30 percent of fatal crashes involving teens.

• Do not wear a seat belt. Teenagers who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.

“The most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to get involved in their 'learn to drive' process,” said Rachel Wilson, director of driver education programs, AAA – The Auto Club Group.

“Spend time coaching your teen while they are behind the wheel and have serious discussions about safety. While parents can be excellent teachers, it's also helpful to seek professional training, such as those offered by AAA.

• Lead by example. Minimize risky behaviors when driving. Don't drive aggressively, avoid distractions and always wear your seat belt. Your driving skills and judgment behind the wheel shape your child's view of safe driving habits, even before they are old enough to drive. Make safe driving a priority in your own life.

• Complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice. Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions, including bad weather, busy highways, 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 dangers. Then share tips for safely avoiding them.

• Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules such as when the teen can drive, where they can go, and with whom. Then, clearly describe the consequences of breaking the rules and the rewards for safe driving.

AAA's online How to Drive course provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills needed to reduce a teen's risks behind the wheel. This additional program is a 25-hour online course that includes:

• Convenient delivery at your own pace.

• Research-based curriculum.

• Videos, simulations and interactive exercises to improve content retention.

• Optional virtual parent session to help educate parents on the process of learning to drive.
Driving lessons behind the wheel

The AAA Approved Driving School Network helps identify the best driver training resources in your local community. These schools have met AAA's strict standards and offer a quality program as well as the best value for students.