Summer, specifically the 100-day period lasting from Memorial Day to Labor Day, sees teens at a higher risk of being involved in a fatal crash on the roads. For example, in 2023, this period accounted for a third of road deaths involving a teenage driver.
What is it that makes this period so dangerous for driving?
Freed from studying
Teenagers are tied up by their studies for most of the year. That’s not to say they don’t ever drive, just that they don’t have the time to drive much. It’s a different story over the summer break. They have the time and many wish to use the opportunity to travel around in their cars. There also tends to be more events going on during these warmer months, creating an added incentive to get out and increase their mileage.
Alcohol and late nights
Many teens, as well as many adults, drink more alcohol over the summer. Many see consuming alcohol as an integral part of social events. They don’t always consider the effect it will have on their driving, and as a result, crashes can occur.
Staying out late to watch live music, or just staying out late at a friend’s because there is no school to get up for, can mean drivers are on the road at night later than usual. Tiredness could creep up on them and worsen their ability to drive.
Teenagers won’t have been driving for long, so they won’t have built up the driving maturity and wisdom that comes from driving lots of miles. Summer is a great time for them to gain that experience, but accidents can occur as they try to do so. Anyone injured may want guidance to examine their options.