If your teenage child has recently started their driving journey, it’s important to know that summer should be a time for caution. There are definitely some advantages compared to driving at other times of year, such as a lower chance of inclement weather and less need to drive in the dark due to more daylight.
However, these are outweighed by the fact that teens tend to drive more miles in summer. They are free to go out and explore, visit friends, drive to parties or concerts or other such things because they don’t have to go to school.
Statistics show that teenage drivers are three times more likely to crash for every mile they drive than someone older. So, it is no surprise that statistics also show that the roughly 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day see teen drivers involved in more fatal crashes than any other time of year. This is when they get to drive more miles. The phenomenon even has a name – the 100 deadliest days of summer.
What can you do to help them stay safe?
Talking with your child about this increased risk is a good start to helping them stay safe. Let them know that even if they are driving well, they still have a lot to learn. Remind them that the roads will also see a lot of other teenagers who might not be so cautious.
Remind them that if they are driving, it is crucial to ignore attempts by others to get them to go faster or pull stunts. They should also refrain from encouraging their peers to do similar. Finally, remind them that wearing a seat belt and avoiding distractions such as phones is crucial. They can use their cars to enjoy summer, but there will be nothing enjoyable about crashing. If they end up injured, be sure to learn more about their options for compensation, as it might not have been their fault.