AAA: The 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers Have Begun

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer and a period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers,” which runs through Labor Day weekend.

It’s a time when there is an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

Now that school is out, the risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with, according to AAA.

“Now that school is out, the risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “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 teens to help keep them safe this summer.”

Some tips for parents of student drivers include:

1. Be involved in your student’s ‘learning to drive’ process,“ by spending time coaching your teen while they’re behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety.

2. Lead by example. Your driving skills and judgment behind the wheel shape your child’s view of safe driving habits, even before they’re old enough to drive.

3. Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving. Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions including inclement weather, busy interstates, and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.

4. Teach defensive driving skills. Help your teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice on how to safely avoid them.

5. Finally, establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules like when the teen can drive, where they can go, and with whom. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safely.

AAA offers an Online Driving Course that provides a solid foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce a teen’s risk behind the wheel.

The AAA Approved Driving School Network helps identify the best driver training resources in your local community. These schools have passed AAA’s stringent standards and offer quality curricula as well as the best value for students.

To learn more, visit AAA.com/Drive contact [email protected], or call (888) 222-7108.