The 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers Start on Memorial Day

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Memorial Day is important for a number of reasons, including one that many often forget: The next 99 days are considered the deadliest days for teen drivers, according to a AAA study.

More than 1,000 people are killed in teen-driving crashes during the 100 deadliest days of summer – the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. On average, around 10 deaths are reported per day, which is an increase of 14% compared to the rest of the year.

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Highway safety officials with AAA attribute the deaths to more riding during the warmer months and fewer trips with a focused destination. There's also the fact that there are more teenagers in the car and more night driving.

Even if teenagers take driving school lessons, many experts find that they often slip back into bad habits. These include failing to signal, failing to make full stops, failing to check blind spots, and failing to keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

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It is important that parents participate in the driving training of their teenagers. The more practice, the better.

• Take advantage of opportunities like going to the store, post office, or running errands, to give their teens more time behind the wheel.
• Make sure distractions are as limited as possible, especially cell phones.
• Keep a distance of three to four seconds between you and the car in front of you.
• Be aware of everything around you, but also of everything in the distance. Road accidents further away cause abrupt stops of approaching traffic. They also lead to other cars getting into accidents.

Although the summer months are a time for relaxation and fun, these small but important safety tips can keep your teens safe and healthy.

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