As the summer is starting and school is letting out, more and more teens are on the road. Those first summer days – one hundred days specifically – after Memorial Day weekend happen to be the most dangerous days for teen drivers. According to AAA, the number of teen car accident deaths increases over 16% during those dangerous days. With the increase in car accidents and injuries during this time, it is more important than ever for young drivers to stay as safe as possible on the roads.
According to AAA, motor vehicle crashes increase for teenage drivers (ages 16 to 19) during the summer months, especially during the first 100 days after Memorial Day weekend. With “driver distraction” as the cause of over half of these incidents, it is necessary to address the social media and texting habits of many teen (and adult) drivers. So many accidents can be avoided by encouraging teens to avoid their cell phones and other distractions while driving.
Driver distractions like texting and cell phone use can result in personal injury, or even fatalities for the driver, passengers and oncoming vehicle drivers. In just seconds, the simple act of pressing send can cause a serious accident. By informing teenage drivers of the high risk of accidents and crashes because of driver distraction, many of these incidents and injuries can be avoided.
If in the Chicago, Illinois area and an accident occurs, it is important to contact one of many experienced Chicago car accident attorneys regarding personal injury claims from a motor vehicle accident and determine if there is a legal case. If a young driver is involved in the incident, especially during the summer months, it is very likely that driver distraction (possibly from cell phone usage) is the cause of the crash. Statistically, teenagers are more likely to be involved in accidents during those “dangerous” summer days than any other time of the year.
Keeping teens safe on the roads starts by informing them of possible dangers, leading by example and encouraging responsible driving behaviors. School administrators, parents, teachers and other adult role models should encourage teens to keep their eyes on the road and off the screen. If more teenage drivers eliminate distractions like cell phones while behind the wheel, those “dangerous days” during the summer months could be avoided.