As summer begins, safety experts warn parents about the “100 Deadliest Days” for teenage drivers. This period, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, sees a significant increase in teen-driver crashes across the country.

Risk Factors

According to AAA, more than 13,100 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving teen drivers between 2019 and 2023. The main risk factors include inexperience, distraction, and speeding. Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes during the summer months, with an average of eight people per day dying in teen-driver related crashes, compared to seven per day the rest of the year.

Distractions, such as smartphones, play a significant role in moderate-to-severe crashes involving teen drivers. Passengers also create a major risk factor, with the risk of a fatal crash increasing 44% when a teen driver has one young passenger in the vehicle.

Prevention

Experts recommend that parents model good driving behavior themselves and provide guidance on how to handle different driving conditions. They also suggest that parents should not assume driver’s education classes are enough, as most teens pass the licensing exam with very limited real-world driving exposure.

Modern safety technology, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, can help reduce crash risks. However, no technology can fully overcome poor judgment, and parents should emphasize the importance of responsible driving habits.

Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.