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Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. Some area school districts, such as North Dickinson County and Niagara, Wis., have already ended classes for the academic year. Former students are in a hurry to make the most of the summer break.
Which can be a problem.
This period, which runs through Labor Day weekend, is known as the "100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers," according to AAA, because it annually sees an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving that age group.
"The risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with," said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA-The Auto Club Group. "With the end of the school year upon us, these young, inexperienced drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends."
Nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 Deadliest Days, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Almost 6,700 people were killed during this period from 2013 to 2022. In 2022 alone, 707 people were killed in these types of crashes -- a 10% increase over pre-pandemic 2019, AAA stated in a news release.
An average of 2,146 teens are involved in deadly crashes every year, with 670 -- 31% -- of those occurring during the 100 Deadliest Days. These crashes result in an average of 2,390 deaths per year, with 744 of those fatalities during the 100 Deadliest Days.
In Michigan, on average 63 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes each year, with 23 -- 36% -- occurring during the 100 Deadliest Days. These crashes result in an average of 68 deaths per year, with 25 -- 36% -- of those fatalities occur during the 100 Deadliest Days.
"The important thing to realize is the people killed in these crashes are not always the teen driver but it can be their passengers or anyone else they encounter on the road," Woodland said.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 16 to 19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers -- ages 16 and 17 -- are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared with adults.
Some factors for this include --
-- Distracted driving. Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of 10 teen crashes. Electronics such as cell phones and in-vehicle infotainment systems are considered the second-biggest distraction to teen drivers. The biggest distractions are teen passengers.
-- Driving with teen passengers. Research shows the risk of a fatal crash increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in a car, according to NHTSA. Having other passengers in the car can contribute to peer pressure and the impulse to engage in dangerous habits such as speeding and aggressive driving.
-- Speeding. Speeding is a factor in nearly 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.
-- Not wearing a safety belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.
"The single most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in their 'learning to drive' process," said Rachel Wilson, director of Driver Education Programs, AAA-The Auto Club Group. "Spend time coaching your teen while they're behind the wheel and have a serious discussion about safety. While parents can be great teachers, it also helps to seek out professional training courses, like those provided by AAA."
Some ways to approach this include --
-- Lead by example. Adults should minimize risky behavior when driving. Don't drive aggressively, avoid distractions and always wear a seatbelt. Your driving skills and judgment behind the wheel shape your child's view of safe driving habits, even before they're old enough to drive.
-- Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving. Let your teen drive in a variety of conditions, including inclement weather, busy interstates and at night. This will help them become a more confident driver in imperfect situations.
-- Teach defensive driving skills. Help your teen anticipate potential risks by constantly scanning the road for hazards. Then share advice for how to safely avoid them.
-- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules, such as when the teen can drive, where they can go and with who. Then clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safe.