Now that school is letting out for the summer, more teen drivers are likely going to be out on the roads. The period from Memorial Day through Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days” period for teens. This is a horrible thought, but it is one that must be addressed.

The issue that comes up during this period is that many new teen drivers are behind the wheel. Teens who are 16 to 17 years old are three times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash than adult drivers. During the 100 Deadliest Days, teens have a 15-percent increase in deadly crashes when you compare those days to the rest of the year.

There are three common factors that play a part in these fatal accidents. One is that teens might be speeding when the crash happens. Many teens don’t buckle up, which increases the chance that they will die. Distraction, including cellphone usage, is a factor in around six out of every 10 crashes involving teens.

If these three factors are minimized, there is a good chance that these days wouldn’t be as deadly. Parents need to work with their teens to ensure that the new drivers are following safe practices when they are behind the wheel.

People who are involved in accidents with teens should follow the same steps after the crash. Check for injuries and seek medical care if necessary. Once this is done, you might opt to pursue a claim for compensation to recover some of the damages that you have because of the incident.

Source: AAA, “New Teen Drivers Three Times As Likely to Be Involved in a Deadly Crash,” Tamra Johnson, accessed May 18, 2018