For many teenagers, summertime brings fun, festivities and free time with friends. But as more teens take to the roads during summer break, the risk of teen driver traffic crashes increases. The ‘100 Deadliest Days’ is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes involving teen drivers are the highest.
Nationally, 7,193 teen drivers (age 15-19) were killed in crashes from 2019 to 2023, with over 31% of those fatalities occurring from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to a AAA Northeast analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data. Additionally, the number of teen drivers killed during the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ in 2023 is almost 35% higher than in 2019, pre-pandemic.
Risky driving behaviors like speeding, texting and running red lights are top contributors to unsafe driving among teens, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Cars full of friends can also be dangerous: AAA research shows teen drivers involved in crashes are twice as likely to die when transporting two or more teen passengers compared to when driving alone.
“As the roads become more dangerous over the summer, we want to ensure everyone gets to and from their destinations safely,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “We encourage parents to model safe driving behaviors and remind their teens that reckless driving puts everyone on the road at risk. We urge all drivers to make smart decisions behind the wheel — because one bad decision can be life-altering.”
AAA Northeast offers teen drivers the following advice:
- Ditch the distractions: AAA research shows talking or interacting with passengers is the most common distracting behavior in teen driver crashes followed by cellphone use.
- Slow down: Faster speeds rob drivers of the extra reaction time needed to avoid a crash. Inexperience behind the wheel makes speeding especially dangerous for young drivers.
- Buckle up: Wearing a seatbelt is the most effective way to prevent serious injuries or death in the event of a crash. NHTSA data shows seat belt use is the lowest among teens and young adults. Remember to buckle up and ask your passengers to do the same.
- Get enough sleep: Make sure you’re well-rested before a day of festivities. Head home before exhaustion hits or make a plan with friends to spend the night in a safe place to avoid driving while drowsy.
- Drive sober: It’s illegal for people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, and it’s illegal to drive impaired. But if you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs, hand your keys to a sober friend or use a rideshare service to get home safely.
