100 Deadliest Days Of Summer: How To Reduce Teen Car Accident Risks
For teenagers, summer means freedom from school and more opportunities for fun and hanging out with friends. Unfortunately, it is also the most common time of year for teen car accidents. The 100 Deadliest Days Of Summer campaign raises awareness of the risks. Our Bradenton car accident lawyer explains more about the hazards and how to keep teen drivers safe.
Summer The Most Dangerous Time For Teen Drivers
The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadliest Days Of Summer. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, it is part of a national public service campaign that raises awareness of teen car accident risks.
Summer is the most dangerous time for teens on the road. More than 7,000 are killed in car accidents in June, July, and August each year, while tens of thousands of others suffer serious personal injuries. Factors that increase the risks include:
- Lack of driving experience: Teens lack the experience older drivers have, meaning they are less likely to react appropriately to sudden changes in traffic, unexpected hazards, or dangerous road conditions.
- Lack of maturity: A teen’s brain is still developing, and lack of maturity means they are more likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding and going too fast for conditions.
- Increased risk of distraction: Teens are more likely to get distracted by their phones, playing music, talking to passengers, or engaging with people and objects outside the vehicle.
- Increased risk of driving impaired: Teens are more likely to downplay the risks and drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs or get into a vehicle driven by someone who is impaired.
How To Protect Teen Drivers
Sadly, car accidents involving teens often have fatal consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns they are the leading cause of death for young people. Teen car accidents can also pose serious risks to other drivers, as well as any pedestrians or bicyclists on the road. To protect them and others, parents, grandparents, guardians, or others involved in their lives are encouraged to follow these tips:
- Do not provide unrestricted access to a vehicle: Set limits on where, when, and how often teens drive, keeping in mind that the risks increase when they are tired, at night, and on weekends.
- Limit the number of passengers in their vehicle: The more passengers they carry, the greater the risk of distraction.
- Talk to them about the dangers: Make them aware of teen car accident risks and reckless driving behaviors that make crashes more likely to happen.
- Insist on seatbelts: In the event an accident does occur, seatbelts reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening personal injuries.
Contact Our Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer
At the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely, we provide caring support and professional legal representation to victims of teen car accidents in Bradenton and their families. To get the compensation you need to recover, call or contact our experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer online today.
Source:
fdot.gov/agencyresources/deadliestdays
cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html
