As the weather gets warmer and schools let out for summer, teens spend more time behind the wheel than during the rest of the year. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day was dubbed The 100 Deadliest Days for Teens because teens are statistically more likely to die in a car accident during this period than the rest of the year.
Causes of Accidents During the 100 Deadliest Days
The 100 Deadliest Days take a toll on teen drivers, with 43% more fatal crashes occurring than the other 265 days of the year. Here are some of the most common causes of teen driver accidents during the 100 Deadliest Days:
Inexperience
Inexperience is difficult to quantify but is evident in the increased risk of teen involvement in fatal crashes compared to other age groups. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that the crash rate (on a per-mile-driven basis) is nearly three times higher for teens than for drivers 20 and older.
Speeding
According to the NSC, 35% of male drivers under 20 years old who died in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding, as were 19% of female drivers. Speeding is illegal and unnecessary for teens who haven't mastered driving a car at normal speeds.
Drinking and Driving
Even though it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to drink alcohol and all states have laws against drinking and driving, teens are still involved in fatal crashes due to drunk driving. The NSC also reported that 27% of 15- to 20-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2022 had been drinking.
Distracted Driving
Drivers of all ages get distracted sometimes, but younger drivers are particularly susceptible. In a recent survey, six of ten Millennial and Gen Z drivers admitted to reading texts while driving. According to the NHTSA, 7% of teen crashes today are the result of distracted driving.
Fatalities Increased During 2023's 100 Deadliest Days
From 2013 to 2022, 7,435 people lost their lives in teen driver-related crashes during The 100 Deadliest Days. In 2022, 790 people became another unfortunate statistic about this period. This was up 10% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 according to AAA's analysis of NHTSA data, but down significantly from the 900 people killed in 2021.
While there is not yet any national data compiled for 2023, states like Florida have published their statistics. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) states that 83 teens died in 2023.
2024 Has the Potential to Get Better
While fatalities have gone up slightly in certain states, 2024 has the potential to get better. Smart features like blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning lane assistance, and emergency braking are only making cars safer.
Distracted driving laws are also improving in the country. Every state outside of Montana now bans texting while driving, and at least half don't even let you touch your cell phone while driving. If we reduce distracted driving, accidents and fatalities should follow as well.
Tips for Staying Safe During 2024’s 100 Deadliest Days.
Here are several ways to protect yourself and others on the road during the 100 Deadliest Days of 2024:
Remember your driver’s ed training — Follow all posted traffic signs, obey traffic lights, and stick to the speed limit.
Never drink and drive — It’s never worth it. Call an Uber, friend, or family member. Parents: let your teens know that calling you is an option.
Avoid distractions — That means limiting the number of passengers in your car and making your phone unavailable while you’re driving (either by physically placing it out of reach or using an app to lock it while the vehicle is running).
Wear your seat belts — You and your passengers should always wear a seatbelt. They reduce the risk of death and injury if you're involved in an accident.
Slow down — The faster you're driving, the less time you have to react to adverse road conditions or another driver.
Avoid Getting into an Accident All Year Round
The roads may be a dangerous place for teens during the 100 Deadliest Days, but with some preparation and focus, we can minimize the risks for our teen drivers and everyone sharing the road with them. Another way to keep yourself accident-free during this period is to take a driver's ed course from Aceable.com. You'll learn the driving techniques that'll keep you safe, especially during these 100 Deadliest Days.
Updated 08/29/2024