High schoolers often view the summer as the most free and fun time of the year. Being out of class for the summer means having a lot of leisure time. Teenagers sometimes get part-time jobs during the summer or spend as much time as possible with their friends.
That freedom begins to disappear when young adults achieve legal adulthood, so parents often let teenage children pursue leisure activities and spend much of their summers socializing. Unfortunately, being away from school and having a greater degree of personal freedom could put a teen at risk of a major motor vehicle collision. According to a review of collision statistics, the summer months are when it is most dangerous for teenagers to be out on the road.
Experts refer to the summer as the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers
The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day provide countless opportunities for young adults to socialize and enjoy their freedom. Those who drive during the summer have more risk during the warmest season than they do throughout the school year. Teenagers are far more likely to die in a crash during the summer than during the fall, winter or spring. Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of teenage deaths and can also cause severe injuries or psychological trauma.
The ability to go out and party contributes to crash risk. Young adults may experiment with drugs or alcohol. They may then feel compelled to drive home so that they don’t get caught. Other times, completely sober teenagers could cause crashes due to distraction. The common practice of texting or using social media while driving can diminish a teenager’s already limited skill at the wheel.
Having teenage passengers is also a major source of distraction risk. Young adults driving with their friends may focus more on each other than on the road. Obviously, parents cannot just keep their teen drivers inside all summer to protect them from crashes. However, there are a few choices that could help reduce the teenager’s risk of a life-altering crash when school is out for the summer. Maintaining a strict curfew could deter both nighttime driving and unsafe conduct at parties. Imposing rules about teenage passengers and mobile phone use could also help protect young drivers during the time when their motor vehicle collision risk is at its highest.
At the end of the day, understanding what statistics can teach about personal safety and traffic can benefit parents and the young adults whom they love.
