Summer has a lot to recommend it: longer days, summer vacation and three holidays, just to name a few. Unfortunately, some of the very things that make young people love summer can mean higher risk for them and those sharing the road with them.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA), a disproportionate number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 2023–the most recent year reported–there were 860 deaths in crashes involving teen drivers across those 100 days.
Why are Summer Months More Dangerous for Teen Drivers?
Many factors may play a role in the increased danger during the summer months. One is simply that teens are out of school for the summer, which often means that they’re driving more and that more of that driving is independent. Another is that those 100 days feature three holidays that often involve drinking–and not just at night.
Even if you’re confident that your teen won’t be drinking, remember that others on the road will. That makes the roads more dangerous for everyone, but especially for young drivers who may be less prepared to take evasive action effectively. High traffic also has an impact on road safety, particularly when it includes a larger number of people vacationing or visiting relatives in areas where they aren’t familiar with the roads. Fourth of July weekend sees some of the heaviest traffic of the year (just behind the days surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas).
If you’ve noticed that many of these factors impact all drivers and not just teens, you’re right–and traffic fatality statistics bear that out. According to the National Security Council (NSC), July and August have the second and third most traffic fatalities. October is the only month with more.
Preparing for Riskier Road in Summer
Awareness of the greater risk on the road during the summer months is a start, but it takes action to make yourself and your teens safer behind the wheel. One way to improve safety is to ensure that no one is operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. With holidays, bonfires, and other summer activities that may involve indulging in alcohol abounding, be sure to plan for a designated driver, a place to stay, or a rideshare. Make sure your teens know what to do if they find themselves in a situation where they don’t have a safe ride home.
You can also try to plan road travel for non-peak times, and ensure that you are rested and alert when traveling.
Talk to Your Teens
When it comes to your child’s safety, you can’t afford to make assumptions. Make sure to talk to your teen driver about safety, including issues like:
- Never getting behind the wheel under the influence of anything
- Wearing their seatbelt at all times, whether they’re driving or a passenger
- Avoiding texting and driving
- Observing speed limits and other traffic regulations
- Maintaining a safe following distance
- Always using turn signals when turning or changing lanes
- Keeping attention on the road when others are talking in the car
- Staying vigilant about other drivers’ actions on the road
You may also want to consider steps like limiting passengers when your teen is driving. And, of course, make sure the vehicle your teen is driving is well maintained and that your teen knows how to recognize potential issues like brake pads wearing thin or low tire pressure.
Accidents Happen, Even When You Do Everything Right
Taking precautions is important, but we all know that sometimes accidents happen despite our best efforts. If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident because someone was driving under the influence or was otherwise negligent, Charleston car accident lawyer Frank Hartman is here to help. To learn more or schedule your free consultation, call 843-300-7600.