Teens Are at Risk of Car Accidents During the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer

 Posted on May 27, 2021 in Car Accidents

While Memorial Day is traditionally the kickoff of summer season, it is also the beginning of what has been deemed the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” Safety advocates use this term to call attention to the increased dangers teen drivers face during the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. According to national statistics, there are approximately 10 people killed in teen driver car crashes each day during this period. Over the past decade, there have been almost 300 people killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the 100 deadliest days in the state of Illinois.

Dangerous Time on the Roads

The summer means more motorists are on the road as people take vacations and day trips. More motorists also mean more car accidents, injuries, and deaths. It also means more teen drivers are on the road, since school is out for the summer. Many of these teen drivers are inexperienced, and they sometimes act recklessly. Tragically, statistics about teen drivers bear this out:

• Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.

• Teens have the highest car accident rate of any age group. The fatal crash rate for teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 is three times higher than the rate for other drivers. Teen drivers who are 16 and 17 years of age have a fatal crash rate twice as high as drivers who are 18 and 19.

• Approximately 260 teens are killed in car accidents each month during the summer. This is an increase of more than 25 percent compared to the other months of the year.

• Distracted driving is the number one cause of teen car accidents, and it is responsible for 60 percent of crashes. Having a teen passenger in the car is the number one distraction, followed by cell phone use.

• Speeding is another dangerous behavior that teen drivers engage in, and it is responsible for approximately 30 percent of all fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

• 60 percent of all teen drivers killed were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Keeping Your Teen Driver Safe

Safety advocates recommend parents take the following steps to ensure the safety of teens:

• Everyone in a vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times.

• There is zero tolerance for driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs.

• Teens should avoid all cell phone use while driving. Keep the focus on the road.

• Follow the posted speed limit at all times.

• Limit the number of passengers your teen is allowed to have in their vehicle.

• Limit nighttime driving until your teen has more experience and skill behind the wheel.

Contact a Will County Personal Injury Attorney

No matter how safely we operate our vehicles, there is always the risk of another driver who fails to do the same. If you or a family member has been injured in a crash, you may be entitled to damages for the losses you have experienced due to your injuries. Contact McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Joliet car accident attorneys and find out about your legal options. Call 815-727-0100 today.

Sources:

https://www.safekids.org/blog/you-can-keep-your-teen-drivers-safer-here-are-7-ways-can-help

https://wesavelives.org/100-deadliest-days-of-summer/

https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/teenagers