From Memorial Day to Labor Day lies what is known as the 100 Deadliest Days for teen driving crash fatalities. The 3 most important factors contributing to these Summertime fatal teen crashes are:
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- Speeding (28 percent)
- Drinking and driving (17 percent)
- Distraction (9 percent)
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Crash data shows that teens are a vulnerable driver group with a higher probability of being involved in crashes…And while teens may make mistakes when first learning to drive, it is important to continue educating them about safety behind the wheel so they avoid the reckless behaviors that put themselves and others at risk on the road.” ~~ Dr. David Yang, Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Nearly two-thirds of people injured or killed in a crash involving a teen driver are people OTHER than the teen behind the wheel. Over the past five years during the “100 Deadliest Days”:
- Almost 700 people die each year in crashes involving teen drivers, on average
- The average number of deaths from crashes involving teen drivers ages 15-18 was 17 percent higher per day compared to other days of the year.
Here are the top 3 Reckless behaviors that contribute to the alarming number of crash deaths involving teen drivers each summer.
- Speeding – Speeding significantly increases the severity of a crash and is a growing problem among teen drivers. Nearly half (49.7 percent) of teen drivers reported speeding on a residential street in the past 30 days and nearly 40 percent say they sped on the freeway.
- Drinking and Driving – Despite the fact that teens cannot legally consume alcohol, one in six teen drivers involved in fatal crashes during the summer tested positive for alcohol.
- Distraction – Underreported Problem – More than half of teen drivers (52 percent) in the AAA Foundation’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index report reading a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days and nearly 40 percent report sending a text or email.