AAA: Teen driving crash deaths increase during summer

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

As school lets out for summer, AAA 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,” David Yang, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety executive director, said. “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.”

Officials 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. The following statistics are based on 2016 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System data as analyzed by the AAA Foundation:

— Thirty-six percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers occurred between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

— One in 10 of all motor vehicle nighttime crash fatalities involved a teen driver

— Data shows 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

— One in 10 of all motor vehicle speed-related fatalities involved a teen driver

— Twenty-nine 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,” Richard Romer, AAA manager of state relations, said. “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 are urged to:

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

— Teach by example and minimize their own risky behavior when behind the wheel

— Make a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers, and consider setting driving limits that are stronger than a state’s law, and enforce those limits

The website www.teendriving.aaa.com has a variety of tools, including licensing and state law information, to help prepare parents and teens all year long. The site also features new interactive widgets highlighting teen driving risks, as well as a social host quiz. The online AAA StartSmart program also offers resources for parents on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage their teen’s overall driving privileges.

AAA officials said 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.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. For more information, visit www.aaafoundation.org.