100 Deadliest Days Begin

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer and a dangerous time of year for young drivers. Nationwide, more than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers occur during what’s called the “100 Deadliest Days” – a period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19. For every mile driven, recently licensed teen are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults. Common risk factors include distracted driving, peer pressure from teen passengers, speeding, and not wearing a safety belt. According to AAA, the single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their ‘learning to drive’ process. Lead by example, conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving, teach defensive driving skills, and establish boundaries around where and when your teen can drive.