Across the country, 13,135 people have been killed in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019-2023. Over 30% of those deaths occurred during the 100 deadliest days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On average, 8 people are killed per day in teen-involved driving crashes in the summer, compared to 7 per day during the rest of the year. In 2023 alone, the most recent year of complete crash data, 2,897 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver. A third of those deaths, 860, happened during the 100 Deadliest Days.

“As the school year ends, AAA stresses the importance of preparing and educating inexperienced teen drivers for some of the most dangerous driving days of the year. Younger drivers don’t have as much experience behind the wheel, so they often engage in unsafe behaviors like speeding and distracted driving,” says Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “AAA urges parents to model safe driving practices and reinforce safe driving habits to keep their teen drivers as safe as possible this summer.”

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also has new research highlighting the life-saving potential of smartphone-blocking technology. Parents should encourage teens to use “do not disturb” features on their phones to silence distractions while driving. In addition, previous research from the Foundation showed new teen drivers ages 16-17 are three times more likely than adults to be involved in a deadly crash. Speed and nighttime driving are significant factors contributing toward the number of crashes and fatalities during the 100 Deadliest Days. According to NHTSA statistics:

• 36 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

• Data show a 22 percent increase in the average number of nighttime crashes per day involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days compared to the rest of the year

• 30 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver were speed-related

In preparation for the dangerous summer driving period, AAA encourages parents to educate their teens and themselves about risky driving behavior. Parents should:

• Discuss with teens early and often the dangers of risky driving situations, such as speeding and nighttime driving.

• Discuss with teens the dangers and consequences of distracted driving (i.e., texting, having multiple people in the car, etc.)

• Stress the importance of buckling up. According to NHTSA, more than 50 percent of teen drivers who died in 2020 were not wearing seat belts.

• Teach by example and minimize any risky behavior when behind the wheel.

• Make a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers. Consider setting driving limits that are stronger than state laws and enforce those limits.

Summer is also a great time for teens to complete a comprehensive driver education course to learn the rules of the road. Visit Teen Driver Safety – AAA Exchange.

Strengthening teen driving laws to increase roadway safety is a top priority for AAA. The Association’s advocacy efforts are helping to protect teens by working to pass graduated driver licensing laws, including seat belt requirements, wireless device bans and nighttime driving and passenger restrictions, in states across the country.