We just entered the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers, according to AAA

DEARBORN, MI – Teen drivers now need to use extra caution while on the road.

It goes without saying that everyone should always drive safely and sober, but AAA Michigan reminds parents and teens that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of a period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Drivers adolescents”.

The period, which extends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is characterized by an increase in the number of fatal accidents involving teenagers.

“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 driving deaths occur during the 100 days of summer. 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.

In Michigan, 63 teen drivers are involved in fatal accidents each year and 36% of them occur during this period. In addition, road accidents are the leading cause of death among adolescents aged 16 to 19.

Common risk factors include distracted driving from cell phones or in-car entertainment systems, driving with teenage passengers, speeding and not wearing seat belts.

“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 said. “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.

AAA encourages parents to be active when it comes to teaching their teens to drive while emphasizing the importance of safety. Parents should also lead by example by teaching defensive driving techniques.

Establishing a parent-teen conduct agreement with clear rules can also be key, AAA said. Examples include when a teen can drive and where they can go. Limiting the number of passengers can also help.

AAA offers an online driving course, available here.