Traffic Deaths Climb As Teen Drivers Hit The Road During Summer

The school season is winding down in the United States and that means teen drivers will be spending more time on the road. Unfortunately, this also means more accidents and fatalities.

Dubbing the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day the “100 Deadliest Days,” the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says the number of crashes involving teen drivers skyrockets during the summer.

In 2016, more than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver during the summer. That’s an average of nearly 10 people per day and the figure is 14 percent higher than during the rest of the year.

Nighttime is particularly dangerous as AAA says there’s a 22 percent increase in the average number of crashes involving teen drivers at night during the 100 Deadliest Days. The organization also notes 36 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers occur between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and 10 percent of all nighttime crash fatalities involve a teen driver.

Speeding is another key factor as 29 percent of motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver were speed-related.

In a statement, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety executive director Dr. David Yang said “The number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers during the summer is an important traffic safety concern and research shows that young drivers are at greater risk and have higher crash rates compared to older and more experienced drivers.”

AAA says the best way to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities is by ensuring teens receive a good education and proper training. The organization also encourages parents to be involved and talk to their kids about eliminating risky behavior and taking extra precautions when driving at night.