During the summer more teens are out on the road driving. The increase in teen drivers typically results in an increase of car crashes. The time from Memorial Day to Labor Day is called the “100 Deadliest Days” due to the rising number of fatal teen-related car crashes.
Teen drivers have contributed to more than 7,000 teen-related driving deaths between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to AAA. The 100 Deadliest Days increase in the summer because of the influx of teens who are out of school and driving more. In April of 2022, an 18-year-old driver was accused of driving 115 miles per hour before killing a mother and critically injuring her daughter on 32nd Avenue and Southern. The posted speed limit was 45 miles per hours. Speeding is just one many teen-related driving issues. The number of traffic fatalities in Phoenix has already hit a 15-year high in 2021. Road safety agencies nationwide continue to try and find ways to combat these statistics.
Crash data from the AAA Foundation shows many of the contributing factors to fatal teen-related car crashes. The contributing factors from 2008-2019 include:
- Driving over the speed limit
- Texting
- Red-light running
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk Driving
- Driving without a seatbelt
Teaching teens safer driving techniques, the risks incurred with driving, and the responsibility of being behind the wheel are crucial to public safety.
AAA recommends parents discuss safe driving habits with their teens. For some teens, being in school kept them off the roads. With a whole summer off, teens have much more free time to drive and hang out with friends. ABC Driving School in Phoenix recommends parents send their teenage drivers to driving school. Unlike many other states, Arizona does not a require driver education courses as a prerequisite to get a license. Sending your teen to driving school would allow them to get more practice driving under the supervision of an instructor who also has the ability to brake on the passenger side. Other than driving school, parents can improve safety on the road by:
- Discussing safe driving techniques
- Putting their teen’s cellphones in driving mode
- Driving mode disables notifications
- Setting rules and a curfew
Parents must lead by example. Practice safe driving techniques while your teen is in the car is an important part of promoting teen-driving safety. It is a collective effort in order to save lives.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a teen driver, an Arizona attorney may be able to help.