The Deadliest Days for Teenage Drivers

Every day on the road is potentially dangerous for teenage drivers. In fact, teens have the highest crash rate of any group. They are less experienced and more prone to making a poor decision while driving. Some days are more dangerous than others. Make sure to remind your son or daughter about the safe driving tips they learned when they first got their license.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently conducted a study of police-reported crashes involving teenage drivers over a ten-year period. They found that nearly 1,000 people were killed in the United States in crashes involving teenage drivers in the summer of 2012. About two-thirds of the people killed in crashes involving teen drivers are not the teenagers. Therefore, teens are often a danger not only to themselves but also to everyone else on the roadway.

When are the most dangerous times of year for teenage drivers? According to the study, there was a 43 percent increase in teen driver accidents in the summer of 2013 compared to the rest of the year. Therefore, it appears the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the most dangerous for teenage drivers.

Why is summer so much more dangerous for teen drivers? Teens drive more in the summer and when they are driving it is likely for recreational purposes. Instead of driving back and forth to school, they are likely cruising around.

During the summer teen drivers are more likely to have teenage passengers. Passengers are one of the most significant risks for teens. Passengers can be a dangerous distraction for drivers and they are often distracting for the entire drive. Younger drivers are often prone to speeding or making dangerous decisions excite or impress their passengers. Passengers are also more likely to ride without a seatbelt when hanging out with friends.

If you have a teenage driver in your household, please remind them to drive safely. Speak to them about safe driving habits. Make them put away their phones and focus on the roadway. Last but not least, teach them by example. Whenever you are driving, wear a seatbelt, put away your cell phone, obey the speed limit, and show them what it means to be a safe Missouri driver. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call Page Law.