Beware: This is the most dangerous time of year for teens to be on the road

ATLANTA — Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer and what AAA says is the most dangerous time of the year for teen drivers.

Across the United States, more than 30% of deaths involving teen drivers occur from Memorial Day to Memorial Day, according to AAA.

“Summer is historically a dangerous time for teen drivers,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that school is out, teens will spend more time on the road, often driving with friends at odd hours of the day and night. Because of their inexperience, teens are more susceptible to dangerous driving behaviors – like speeding, driving distracted, and not wearing a safety belt. AAA urges parents to model safe driving behavior and reinforce safe driving habits with their teen drivers to help keep them safe this summer.”

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between 16-years-old and 19-years-old, according to Waiters.

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An average of 2,108 teens are involved in deadly crashes, every year, according to AAA. Of all those accidents 31% of them occur during this time period.

In Georgia, an average of 89 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes each year. Of those accidents, 28% happen during this 100-day period.

In six of ten teen crashes, distracted driving plays a role, according to AAA. Among things included in distractions are cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems and fellow teen passengers.

Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits like speeding and aggressive driving, AAA says.

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So, what can parents do to encourage their teen to drive safely? AAA says leading by example, supervising practice driving, and teaching them defensive driving skills are among different ways to help prepare teen drivers.

“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,” said Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Education Programs, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Spend time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be great teachers, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like those provided by AAA.”

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