AAA calls it the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ for teen drivers.
Towson, Md (KM) The road can be a very dangerous place for young motorists this time of year. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the period between now and the Labor Day weekend is the 100 Deadliest Days for teenage drivers.
“Over the past five years, during that 100 days period, nearly 3500 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers,” says Ragina Cooper Averella, a spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
She says part of the reasons include inexperience behind the wheel, but also speeding on both residential streets and the freeways, and drinking and driving. “Despite the fact that teens cannot legally consume alcohol, one in 16 drivers involved in fatal crashes during the summer test positive for alcohol. So that also is troubling,” says Averella, citing a AAA Foundation ‘s latest Traffic Safety and Culture Index survey.
A third reason is distraction. “We’re seeing that more than half of teen drivers in that same AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index reported reading a text message or e-mail while driving in the past 30 days,” she says.
AAA encourages parents to continue talking with their teenage children about their driving habits. “Even once they’re at the stage where they’re able to drive without an adult in the car, we want parents to continue to remain engaged and involved in their driving and their driving habits,”: says Averella.
“We also encourage parents to teach by example and minimize risky driving behaviors themselves when they’re driving,’ she adds.
AAA also recommends parents make an agreement with their teenage drivers which sets the rules for young motorists when they take to the roads.
By Kevin McManus