The “100 Deadliest Days” is a term used to describe the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. During this time, the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers rises sharply, earning those summer months this ominous nickname. As a lawyer who handles many motor vehicle cases involving teens, I wanted to take a closer look at why these 100 days see so many more deadly crashes. In this blog post, I’ll explore the statistics behind the 100 deadliest days, discuss the main factors that contribute to the spike in fatalities, and provide tips for teens and parents to help reduce accidents and driver deaths during this dangerous time period.
Understanding the Statistics
The numbers illustrating the leap in teen driving deaths during summer months are startling.
More Than 1,000 Additional Teen Deaths
According to AAA research, over the past 10 years an average of 1,017 people died in crashes involving teen drivers during the 100 deadliest days, compared to 638 fatalities during the rest of the year – a difference of 379 more deaths.
A 15% Increase
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analyzed fatal crash data over a 5 year period and found that the number of crash deaths per day involving drivers ages 16-19 increased by over 15% compared to the rest of the year.
Nearly 3 in 4 Deaths Involve Teens Themselves
While teens do pose risks to passengers and other road users over the summer, AAA’s analysis of crash data showed nearly 3 out of every 4 people (71%) killed in teen driver crashes during the summer were the teens themselves.
Clearly these statistics demonstrate a dramatically heightened level of fatal crashes and deaths involving newly licensed teens over the “100 Deadliest Days” versus the rest of the year. But what’s behind this increase?
Factors Contributing to the Summer Spike in Fatal Crashes
When looking at the 100 days of summer, experts point to three main factors that come together to create a perfect storm of risks for teens on the roads:
More Teen Drivers Are on the Roads
The obvious first factor is simply that more teenagers are driving during summer months with the freedom of having time off from school obligations. Beach trips, summer jobs, parties, day trips with friends all involve driving. AAA reports that teens average over 30% more miles driven per month during the summer compared to the fall. More cars on the road inevitably means higher crash exposure.
Risky Driving Behaviors Increase
With the feeling of freedom that summer brings, teens tend to engage in more hazardous driving behaviors. Speeding, impaired driving, distractions from passengers and cell phones all creep up during summer months.
- Speeding: Crashes involving teen drivers speeding increase by 13% over the summer.
- Impaired driving: Almost 1 in 5 fatal crashes involving teens during the 100 deadliest days involve alcohol.
- Distractions: The prevalence of teens distracted by passengers doubles during summer months. Cell phone distractions also spike.
Less Experience on the Roads
Many teens receive their licenses during the spring, just before the 100 days begin. Their lack of experience and overconfidence behind the wheel only adds to the risks of increased summer driving. Critical defensive driving skills take time to develop. Newly licensed teens often struggle with hazard perception, distraction management, and controlling the vehicle at high speeds.
With more teens driving unsupervised for the first time, risky behaviors peaking, and lack of experience at play, the lethal combination produces the jump in serious and fatal crashes that give the “100 Deadliest Days” their reputation.
Tips to Reduce Teen Crashes and Fatalities
The statistics are sobering, but they also help us identify where to focus efforts to keep teen drivers safer on the roads during the summer months. Here are some tips for teens and parents.
For Teens
- Avoid driving late at night, when crash risks spike to highest levels.
- Leave plenty of following distance to allow more reaction time. Double suggested distances to compensate for lack of experience.
- Do not speed. Obey all posted speed limits and slow down. The 3 factors contributing to summer crashes all intensify speeding risks.
- Never drive impaired or ride in a vehicle with an impaired driver. Call parents or a ride service instead of getting in a car.
- Eliminate all phone use and limit passengers to reduce distractions. Passengers are linked to a quadrupling of crash risks.
- Speak up if you feel unsafe when riding with another teen. “No thanks, let’s not go this fast.”
For Parents of Teen Drivers
- Talk regularly about safe driving skills and behaviors, not just when handing over the keys. Set clear rules and expectations.
- Lead by example. Model good driving behavior. No texting, speeding with teens in the car, etc.
- Consider parent-teen driving contracts setting restrictions on passengers, night driving, phone usage, speeding consequences, etc.
- Ride with teens periodically to observe skills and comfort level. Provide more supervised practice if needed.
- Utilize apps or tracking features if your teen drives unsupervised, but explain it’s for safety not control.
By understanding the statistical risks of summer driving for teens, taking steps to minimize hazardous behaviors, and focusing on education and skill development, teens and parents working together can help reduce the tragedy of lives lost during the 100 deadliest days.
In Summation
I hope this overview of why the “100 Deadliest Days” period between Memorial Day and Labor Day truly lives up to its ominous name provides both motivation and practical tips to improve outcomes. The alarming spike in fatal crashes involving teens over the summer requires focused action from both teen drivers themselves and the parents charged with guiding them. With awareness, education, safety measures, and training, teens can stay safer on the roads amidst the dangerous perfect storm of risks that arise during the 100 deadliest days of summer. The goal is keeping every teen driver we care about alive and unharmed on the road this summer and beyond.
FAQs
Q: Why are newly licensed teen drivers at higher risk during the summer months?
A: Teens who just received their license during the spring have less experience and skill. Critical defensive driving abilities take time to develop. Overconfidence in their newfound freedom also plays a role. Lack of experience combined with increased summertime driving is risky.
Q: How can parents help keep their teens safer on the roads during the 100 Deadliest Days?
A: Parents play a key role. Maintain an open dialogue about safe driving skills and behaviors. Lead by example with your own driving. Consider parent-teen contracts to establish clear rules. Ride along with your teen periodically to assess their progress. Utilize tracking apps if needed to stay informed.
Q: What driving risks increase the most among teens during the summer?
A: Risky behaviors like speeding, impaired driving, and distractions from passengers and phones see the biggest increases during the summer months. Teens let their guard down but these hazardous actions multiply crash risks.
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