The deadliest 10 days of summer for teen drivers is nearly here. Seven out of the top 10 deadliest days for teenage drivers occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day each and every year. According to AAA, over 7,300 teenage drivers and their passengers died in traffic crashes during the summer months between 2005 and 2009. This averages to 422 teen deaths a month during the summer, compared to just 363 teen deaths during the other months of the year.
How to Keep Your Teens Safe This Summer
How do parents keep their teens safe during the summer? AAA recommends that all families follow these safety tips each summer to keep their teenage drivers safe and out of harm’s way.
- Restrict Driving During First Year – New teenage drivers are dangerous drivers and are not yet able to handle emergency maneuvers and critical situations. During their first year of driving, parents should restrict their driving to essential trips and shorter outings.
- Coach them Up – Just like young sports players, young drivers need a good coach to help them learn valuable driving lessons in a safe environment. Parent-supervised practice driving is essential and can help teens learn to handle and manage more complex driving situations.
- Restrict Night Driving – Nighttime is the most dangerous time for teenage drivers. In fact, the risk of being involved in a deadly crash doubles when teens are driving at night.
- Restrict Time in Car with Other Teens – Teenage drivers, who ride together with their friends, have a five-fold increased risk of being involved in a horrific and deadly car accident.
- Establish Clear Rules and Enforce Them – Parents need to come up with established, clear rules for driving and make sure their teenagers obey these rules. Family rules could include cellphone restrictions when driving, nighttime restrictions, and curfews.
Was Your Teen Injured? Call Kelley/Uustal for Help.
For decades, the personal injury attorneys at Kelley/Uustal have been successfully fighting for the rights of grieving families in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida. If you or your teen was injured in a serious auto accident, please contact our firm for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help you seek justice.
