AAA is sounding the alarm bell over the “Deadliest 100 Days of Driving for Teenagers”. Each year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is an increase in the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents involving teenage drivers. According to AAA, there is an annual 15 percent increase in car accidents during this period compared to other parts of the year. In 2016, more than 1,050 people died in accidents involving teenage drivers during the “100 Deadliest Days of Driving.” AAA claims that there are three main factors that contribute to an increase in teenage motor vehicle deaths during the summer. These factors include speeding, distracted driving and failing to buckle up. There may be additional factors that could be responsible for an increase in teenage driving deaths during the summer. Due to school being out, there are more teenage drivers on the roads. Teenage motorists are also more likely to be driving for recreational purposes during this time of year, meaning they are likely to have other teenaged passengers. AAA has warned parents that other teenaged passengers are a major contributor to distracted driving accidents involving this demographic.
Protecting Teenage Drivers During the “100 Deadliest Days”
While this news is likely to be very alarming if you are a parent, there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of your teenager being involved in an accident this summer. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) has several safe driving suggestions that include:- Creating a “safe driving agreement”: You could create a “safe driving agreement” that would set limits on how many passengers your teenager can carry or when they are allowed to drive. The agreement could contain rules and punishments for distracted driving or speeding tickets. AAA recommends making the agreement stricter than what is required for teenage drivers under state law.
- Discuss driving safety with your teenager. AAA recommends discussing dangerous driving habits with your teenage driver. You could explain the dangers of distracted driving or speeding. AAA also recommends discussing why nighttime driving is dangerous for inexperienced drivers.
- Teach by example. As a parent, you can take a more “hands-on approach” by showing your teenager safe driving habits. While they are in the car with you, avoid using your phone and never drive over the posted speed limit.