May starts what some call the 100 deadliest days of summer. This is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the average teen driver fatality crash rate spikes by over 40%. Some car crashes appear to be unavoidable, but most are preventable by exercising some simple safety practices.
Summertime has the highest concentration of teen drivers all year. This is when these kids are out of school and have time on their hands waiting for the next school year to commence. Statistics prove many teenage drivers are safe drivers overall, but many are still missing a certain level of awareness, experience, and knowledge. This can be disastrous for other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Encouraging the teenagers in your household to follow the tips below will help keep them and everyone else on the road safe.
Avoid Distracted Driving – With phones and friends riding in the car, it’s far too easy to become distracted while driving. Many teenagers and even some adults don’t realize that anything leads to distracted driving if it compromises your visual, manual, or cognitive focus. Some of these distractions may include:
- Changing the radio station or altering the infotainment system.
- Eating while driving
- Unruly or rowdy passengers
- Daydreaming
- Complex, emotional, or otherwise distracting conversations
- Keep potential distractions to a minimum, especially when you are a new driver, in order to reduce the risk of a crash.
Obey The Speed Limit – Data compiled in 2022 data from the National Safety Council (NSC) reveals that almost 35% of male drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 involved in fatal accidents were speeding at the time of the crash. Female drivers in the same age range were considerably safer, with under 20% of young female drivers speeding at the time of fatal accidents. It’s important to follow posted speed limits to avoid getting a ticket or causing a traffic accident.
In addition, teenagers and any driver lacking experience should be especially careful about speed management. Not all speed-related crashes are due to risky behavior. This means keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, learning how to accelerate and decelerate safely, and controlling their speed in relation to other traffic on the road and weather conditions.
Never Drive Under The Influence – The 100 deadliest days of summer include Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend. Out of school teenagers on summer vacation or a long weekend may be more likely to drink and thus more likely to get into an alcohol-involved accident. The potentially deadly combination of a less experienced driver and the intoxicating effects of alcohol or drugs can lead to an increased risk of involvement in a crash.
Take the time to have the uncomfortable conversation about the dangers of drinking and driving. We suggest giving your teen the number of a rideshare company if they or someone they are riding with has consumed anything alcoholic at all. We have talked to parents who implemented a no questions asked policy so their teen or any teen they know can call them at any time without worrying about getting into trouble.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
