Is Your Teen Prepared for the 100 Deadliest Days of Traffic Accidents?

Is Your Teen Prepared for the 100 Deadliest Days of Traffic Accidents?

Driving Safety

With the official start of summer around the corner, many look forward to sunny days spent by the pool, family picnics and road trips with friends. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated summer months are the most dangerous for teen drivers, who are out of school and out on the roads in full force.

Named the “100 Deadliest Days,” the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is infamous for teen fatalities, which are 30% higher during these months than any other time during the year.

  • Nationally, more than 1,000 people are killed in traffic accidents involving teen drivers during this time period, which tragically amounts to nearly 10 deaths a day.
  • Tragically, there were 307 fatalities in Missouri from Memorial Day to Labor Day last year alone.

What Causes the Increase in Accidents?

Due to inexperience, teen drivers have the highest risk of accidents than any other age group. This puts their own lives, and the lives of passengers and other drivers on the roads, at a greater risk.

As you may guess, distracted driving is a major cause of accidents. In fact, in a recent study,  47% of Missouri teens admitted to texting while driving.

However, scrolling through Instagram feeds or sending texts while driving are not the only main causes of accidents. Having multiple passengers in the car can be incredibly distracting to teens. When a teen driver has only teen passengers, the risk of a fatal accident increases by 51%.

What Can You Tell Your Teens to Keep Them Safe?

As a parent or loved one, it’s important to have an honest conversation with teens about the dangers of driving. While you want them to enjoy summer and the freedom of driving, it is critically important that they know the risks and take precautions to be safe.

  • Limit Passengers –Have a rule to keep teen passengers to a minimum to avoid distractions.
  • Keep Eyes on the Road- Tell your teen to always keep their eyes on the road. A second can change everything.
  • Only Use Phones in Emergencies – Your teen shouldn’t use their phone behind the wheel. If they need to send a text or call, they should pull over safely, or wait until they arrive at their destination safely.
  • Drive with Them – Even after your teen has his or her license, offer to be a passenger in their car to observe their behavior, become more comfortable driving and teach them best practices.

Driving can offer an incredible sense of freedom, yet driving comes with serious responsibilities. Every life is important, and no life is worth a text message or other fleeting distraction. By following these tips, we hope your teen will be a more responsible driver, and everyone can enjoy the summer months safely.

Your Kansas City Lawyers Are Here to Help

If you or someone you love have been seriously injured in a car accident, call the Kansas City Car Accident Lawyers at the Goss Law Firm at 816-888-5000 to speak about your situation for free.

When you call, an experienced lawyer will listen to your story, answer any questions you may have and provide legal advice to help you during this difficult time. There is never a fee for the initial consultation. Our compassionate team is dedicated to protecting your rights and helping you move forward with your life. Give us a call today.

The Goss Law Firm — Your Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys