The days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are some of the warmest, sunniest days of the year — perfect for taking a drive with friends. Unfortunately, these great conditions also lead to more car accidents during the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers, according to AAA.
Why are these 100 days so deadly?
Holiday weekends start and end the 100 deadliest days of summer, and that is not a coincidence. Memorial Day and Labor Day are two of the most dangerous holidays for drivers, but the danger also rests in the time between the two holidays.
Summer break gives teens the opportunity to be on the roads at all hours of the day and night. Their inexperience combined with their tendency to be more reckless and impulsive is a perfect combination to create a car crash.
Tips for Keeping Your Teen Safe During the 100 Deadliest Days
An article in the Seattle Times in February 2016 addressed the concern that more Seattle teens are waiting longer to get their drivers' licenses because they cannot afford or do not want to take a driver’s education course. This means that many teen drivers are hitting the road with little to no driving experience.
As a parent this is probably terrifying, but you can help protect your children from accidents by teaching them about responsible driving and setting rules for driving behavior and privileges. Consider these tips for teaching your teen about driving safely:
- Lead by example
- Set some boundaries
- Be patient and positive
- Tell your children that they must always drive defensively
You can find more summer-specific driving safety tips on our blog.
Knowledge is Power to Keep Your Teen Safe
Summer break means teens have a lot more freedom to explore in their vehicles. To reduce your worry over your teen driver, ask that she lets you know when she leaves one destination and arrives at the next. Simple check-ins can be a mere text — when they have parked of course — to help let you know that your teen has made it there safe and sound.
Technology is helping parents keep better track of their teen drivers as well. Verizon Wireless has a new vehicle safety tool called Hum, which plugs into the car's computer and can measure the speed of the vehicle, as well as set boundaries for how far your teen can drive. With the smartphone app, Hum can tell you exactly where your teen's car is at any time.
If you or your teen were in an accident caused by a negligent driver, contact Max Meyers Law PLLC for help filing your insurance claim. Call 425-399-7000 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.