‘100 Deadliest Days of Summer’ Begin for Teen Drivers

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” a stretch when fatal crashes involving teen drivers significantly increase across the country.

Safety experts say the summer months bring more free time for teenagers, leading to increased time behind the wheel and often riskier driving conditions.

According to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, teen drivers are especially vulnerable because of inexperience and ongoing brain development, which can affect decision-making and risk assessment.

Experts say teens between the ages of 16 and 19 have a fatal crash rate nearly three times higher than drivers 20 and older based on miles driven. Fatal crashes involving teens also tend to rise during summer, increasing by about 30 percent between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Risk factors include not wearing seatbelts, distracted driving, speeding, substance use and driving with teenage passengers. Late-night driving, especially between 9 p.m. and midnight, is also associated with a higher crash risk.

Safety advocates encourage parents to set clear driving rules, monitor their teen’s driving habits and stress the importance of seatbelt use, staying off phones and limiting young passengers in the vehicle.

Experts also recommend choosing vehicles with modern safety features, emphasizing that while crashes can happen, many are preventable with the right precautions.