Teen Driving Crashes Increase During Summer Months
Each year from Memorial Day to Labor Day, teen drivers are at an increased risk of being involved in a fatal collision—this is known colloquially as the "100 deadliest days of summer." During this time, from 2010 to 2019, an average of 7 teens died per day in motor vehicle accidents.
This devastating statistic highlights the importance of ensuring that families understand the risk factors involved in teen driver crashes and what they can do to reduce these risks.
What Contributes To These Crash Rates?
Several factors can contribute to the increased danger during this period. More vehicles on the road due to summer break and higher rates of teens spending more time behind the wheel are some of the most significant. In addition to these, other factors that may contribute to higher rates include:
- Distracted Driving: having more passengers in the car, loud music, or even the windows down can become distracting for young or experienced drivers.
- Not Wearing a Seat Belt: teen drivers have statistically lower rates of seat belt use than other groups.
- Drunk Driving: a report from 2019 showed that 24% of teen drivers who were fatally injured had alcohol in their system at the time of the crash.
Reducing the Risks
So what can teens and parents do to contribute to a reduced risk of these incidents? Here are some tips:
- Teach teens about the dangers of reckless driving and which behaviors contribute to it.
- Set rules and expectations for their driving, especially in a shared vehicle and when passengers are present.
- Consider enrolling teens in a defensive driving course, so they better understand the importance of using these skills.
- Encourage the use of seat belts whenever possible.
How Our Georgia Attorneys Can Help
The team at Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys is dedicated to ensuring that families can seek justice against negligent individuals who cause their loved ones harm. If your child sustains an injury in a motor vehicle accident this summer, we can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling (912) 809-5335.