WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – More than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2016 during the 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
That is an average of 10 people per day – a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year, according to data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
“The number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers during the summer underscores the importance of preparing inexperienced teens for some of the most dangerous driving days of the year,” said Michael Blasky, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “Through education, proper training, and involvement of parents, we can help our young drivers to become better and safer drivers, which in turn keeps the roads safer for everyone.”
Speed and nighttime driving are significant factors contributing towards the number of crashes, and subsequently fatalities, involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days (statistics based on 2016 NHTSA FARS data as analyzed by the AAA Foundation):
Nighttime driving
– 36 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers occurred between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
– 1 in 10 of all motor vehicle nighttime crash fatalities involved a teen driver.
– Data show a 22 percent increase in the average number of nighttime crashes per day involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days compared to the rest of the year
Speeding
– 1 in 10 of all motor vehicle speed-related fatalities involved a teen driver
– 29 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver were speed-related
“California law includes nighttime restrictions, passenger limitations as well as a texting and wireless device ban for teen drivers, but not all of these components meet AAA recommendations,” Blasky said. “That’s why AAA encourages parents to set and enforce family rules for teen drivers that are stronger than what’s outlined in our state’s law as the 100 Deadliest Days begins.”
In preparation for the dangerous summer driving period, AAA encourages parents to educate their teens and themselves about risky driving behavior.
Parents should:
– Discuss with teens early and often the dangers of risky driving situations, such as speeding and nighttime driving.
– Teach by example and minimize your own risky behavior when behind the wheel.
– Make a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers. Consider setting driving limits that are stronger than a state’s law, and enforce those limits.
TeenDriving.AAA.com has a variety of tools, including licensing and state law information, to help prepare parents and teens for not only the dangerous summer driving season, but also all year long. The site also features new interactive widgets highlighting teen driving risks, as well as a social host quiz.
The online AAA StartSmart program also offers great resources for parents on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage their teen’s overall driving privileges.