We are in the middle of the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” This term refers to the period of months between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day when the youngest drivers face extra peril on the roads and highways.
There is an uptick in traffic deaths of teenage and young adult drivers during this summer period. Let’s do a deeper dive into this problem.
Why do younger drivers face higher fatality rates?
Teens’ inexperience behind the wheel puts these youngest drivers at a higher risk of dying in a collision. But there are other factors that can affect their crash risk. They include the following:
- Road construction – Summer means construction zones here in Washington.
- Travelers – Families and individuals take to the highways on summer vacations.
- Impaired drivers – Many of the fun summer activities involve alcohol or drug usage.
These are just a few of the factors that combine to make summer a dangerous time for teenage drivers.
What parents can do
Parents who want to be proactive about their children’s driving habits can help ensure they get sufficient practice driving during all road conditions with a parent in the car. Teaching teens defensive driving techniques is also a good idea to help deal with the many reckless and negligent drivers on the road.
If your child is injured in an automobile accident this summer, you will need to support them as they recover both physically and mentally from their injuries. Filing a claim for damages is the first step in holding the negligent driver accountable for the damage that they caused.
