What are the 100 Deadly Days of Summer?

Summertime is when adults, families, and younger drivers all hit the road in large numbers. Even though this should be a time of year for individuals to have fun, the reality is that the roadways do become dangerous. In fact, safety agencies have dubbed the time frame from Memorial Day to Labor Day the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” for teenage drivers. Here, we want to discuss why this time frame is so dangerous, as well as ways that parents and guardians can help keep their kids safe.

The Summer – Fun and Danger for Teen Drivers

The time frame from Memorial Day to Labor Day is called the “100 Deadliest Days” for teenage drivers in this country, according to information from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). Across this country, more than 7,000 individuals were killed as a result of teen-related vehicle crashes during this 100-day timeframe between the years 2010 and 2019.

What Makes This Time Frame So Dangerous?

Teenage drivers present significant risks on the roadways. The reality is that younger drivers are much more likely to be involved in vehicle accidents than drivers in other age ranges. Not only do teenage drivers lack driving experience and learned skills, but they are much more likely to make bad decisions when they hit the roadway. Teenage drivers are more likely to engage in speeding, racing, distracted driving behaviors, impaired driving, and more.

Yes, the truth is that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents all year long. However, the time frame between Labor Day and Memorial Day presents more risks. When the weather heats up ,and school lets out, teenage drivers hit the roadways. Instead of driving simply to and from school and maybe to work, teenagers may be driving longer distances. This can include driving from city to city or even driving across the state in North Carolina. Additionally, when school is out, teenagers are more likely to engage in behaviors that they otherwise would likely not engage in during the school year.

In North Carolina, teenage drivers may flock from the mountains to the Outer Banks or vice versa. That is a significant distance to travel and plenty of time for an accident to occur.

How Parents Can Make a Difference

Parents and guardians can certainly make a difference when it comes to keeping kids safe during the 100 deadliest days of summer. Every parent needs to have a serious conversation with their teenager about the rules and responsibilities on the roadway. Under no circumstances should a parent hesitate to take the keys away if their teenager attempts to engage in risky driving behavior. Even though it may seem harsh to keep a kid from driving during the summer, we would much rather you keep your kid alive.

There are various types of applications that can be installed in the car or on a teenager’s phone that track their driving. These types of apps do not have to be intrusive, and they do not have to go into a teenager’s messages. However, these apps can track how fast your teenager is driving and even let you know if your teen has to regularly break rapidly, which could be a sign of careless or reckless driving.

Call us today to speak with a Raleigh car accident attorney.