Summer should be a time for kids and teens to rest, relax, and have fun. Unfortunately, summer is also when teens are most likely to be involved in a severe or fatal car crash. This phenomenon is known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” What drives this spike in crashes, and what can parents do to help their young drivers get home safe? Let’s find out.
What are the 100 Deadliest Days?
The 100 deadliest days describe the period from June 1st to August 31st. During this time, teen drivers are about 25% more likely to be involved in a car crash than during the rest of the year. On average, each day of summer sees 10 teen drivers involved in fatal car accidents. Not only that, but car accidents are the leading cause of teen death in the U.S.
According to AAA, the two biggest contributing factors to these crashes were the teen driver going significantly faster than the speed limit and teens driving at night.
What Can I Do to Help?
The best way to prevent teen car crashes is to educate your child about the biggest dangers on the road, encourage them to drive safely, and set a curfew so they don’t drive at night.
Address Speeding
Many new drivers are prone to speeding as a way of expressing their freedom on the road. However, they may not realize that this is extremely dangerous, and getting a ticket isn’t all they have to worry about.
The faster a car is moving, the faster the driver’s reactions must be to avoid a crash, something many new and inexperienced drivers aren’t prepared for. Additionally, higher speeds translate to a higher force of impact in the crash, drastically increasing the risk of a catastrophic wreck.
Set Curfew
In Georgia, teens with a provisional driver’s license are not permitted to drive from 12 A.M. to 5 A.M. There’s a good reason for this; on average, about 50% of all car accidents occur at night, usually between 9 P.M. and 6 A.M.
it’s important that you educate your child about the dangers of driving at night, especially in terms of visibility and the risk of drunk drivers. Though your teen may not like it, it’s probably a good idea to set a curfew so they won’t be on the road when it’s most dangerous.
If you or someone you love were seriously injured in a car crash, we are here for you. If you’d like to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please don’t hesitate to call (888) 425-6070 or send us an email.