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Take Heed Teen Drivers: 100 Deadliest Days and What to Know

The time-frame between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been termed the “100 Deadliest Days” due to the increase in crashes involving teen drivers compared to the rest of the year. So, what does that mean for you? Well, if you have a teenage driver in your home, or if you are a teen driver, this article is for you.

Crashes involving teen drivers kill an average of 10 people per day during the 100 Deadliest Days. The total number of deaths in 2016 was more than 1,050 for this same time frame. That is 14 percent more than the rest of the year, according to Triple-A. “It is a period of time where we encourage parents to get involved, stay involved to make their teens safer and to reduce the chance of them becoming a statistic on the roadway,” said Michelle Donati, a spokesperson for Triple-A Arizona. 

Distracted driving is one of the prevalent causes of teen-related accidents and Arizona has already enhanced its Graduated Driver License, or GDL, law. “Effective July 1, Arizona teen drivers will be prohibited from using wireless communication devices, like cell phones, while operating a vehicle during the permit and first six months of the graduated driver license phase, except for in emergency situations,” Donati continued, “Triple-A is encouraging parents to establish this now as a family rule for their teen drivers, especially as the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ begin.” 


The most significant primary factors behind crashes involving teenage drivers however is not cell phones and texting but speeding and driving at night. According to Donati, “If you look at statistics based on the 2016 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, we found that 36 percent of all motor vehicle crashes involving teen drivers occurred between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., one in ten of all motor vehicle nighttime crash fatalities involved a teen driver and the data shows a 22 percent increase int he average number of nighttime crashes per day involving teen drivers during the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ compared to the rest of the year.”

She went on to explain that more than a third of “all motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver were speed related.” So, take your time this Summer to remind the teenage drivers in your life to take their time, stay off their phones, and focus on the road. These simple steps could save a life, maybe even yours.