AAA brings attention to ‘100 Deadliest Days’

More than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2016 during the “100 Deadliest Days,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, AAA announced.

That is an average of 10 people per day – a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year, according to data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

With schools out for the summer, AAA said that it stresses the importance of preparing and educating inexperienced teen drivers for some of the most dangerous driving days of the year.

“The number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers during the summer is an important traffic safety concern and research shows that young drivers are at greater risk and have higher crash rates compared to older and more experienced drivers,” said Dr. David Yang, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety executive director.

“Through education, proper training, and involvement of parents, we can help our young drivers to become better and safer drivers, which in turn keeps the roads safer for everyone,” he said.

Speed and nighttime driving are significant factors contributing towards the number of crashes, and subsequently fatalities, involving teen drivers during the “100 Deadliest Days.”

Some statistics as analyzed by the AAA Foundation:

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

■ 1 in 10 of all motor vehicle nighttime crash fatalities involved a teen driver

■ 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

■ 1 in 10 of all motor vehicle speed-related fatalities involved a teen driver

■ 29 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver were speed-related

“Not only are risks, like nighttime driving, a particular danger to young drivers, nearly every state also has a law restricting how late teens may be out on the roads,” said Richard Romer, AAA Manager of State Relations. “This is a timely reminder for parents to be actively involved in their teen’s learning-to-drive process, understanding the risks and to be educated on their state’s teen driving law.”

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

Parents, AAA said, should:

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

■ Teach by example and minimize your own 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 a state’s law, and enforce those limits.

“Strengthening teen driving laws to increase roadway safety is a top priority for AAA,” it said in a statement. “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.