The “100 Deadliest Days of Driving” isn’t the title of the latest installment of the Final Destination series; rather, it refers to the real-life period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the United States. This stretch of time, which roughly spans the summer months, consistently sees a significant spike in traffic-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities, particularly involving teen drivers.
How bad is bad?
This period is known to bring a 20% increase in teen driving fatalities. According to the CDC, teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash during this period. Statistics consistently back up the “100 Deadliest Days” moniker. For example, over 30% of teen driver-related fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023 occurred during this period. On average, more people are killed per day in teen driving crashes during the summer compared to the rest of the year.
Why Do Deaths Increase During the 100 Deadliest Days?
There is no single reason for this alarming statistic, but rather a culmination of circumstances that coalesce during the summer. These include the following:
- Increased Teen Driving: School is out for the summer, meaning teenagers have more free time and are more likely to be on the road, often with friends. This increases their exposure to risk.
- Inexperience of Teen Drivers: Teenage drivers are naturally less experienced than older drivers. They are almost three times as likely as older drivers to be involved in a car crash based on miles driven.
- Risky Behaviors: During the summer, there’s an uptick in risky driving behaviors, especially among teens.
- Distracted Driving: This is a major factor, with distractions like cell phones, multiple passengers, and eating/drinking accounting for a large percentage of teen crashes. Texting while driving increases the risk of crashing by 23 times!
- Speeding: Speeding is a significant contributor to fatal crashes involving teen drivers. It seems obvious, but even modest increases in speed can significantly reduce someone’s chance of surviving an accident.
- Impaired Driving: While the legal drinking age is 21, some teens still drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Drowsy Driving: Teens may stay up later during the summer, leading to fatigue behind the wheel, which can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
- Not Wearing Seatbelts: A significant percentage of teen drivers killed in crashes were not wearing seatbelts. Even though more than 91% of Americans routinely use their seat belt, according to Buckle Up America, it is estimated that in 2024, nearly half of those killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts.
- Increased Traffic and Travel: Warmer weather and summer vacations lead to more people on the roads in general, increasing the chances of accidents for all drivers.
- Relaxed Atmosphere and Celebrations: Summer holidays and celebrations can lead to impaired judgment and a false sense of confidence, contributing to dangerous driving behaviors.
How to Keep Teens, Other Drivers, and Even Pedestrians Safe During the 100 Deadliest Days
Maybe you don’t have a teen at home, so you might not be too concerned. But teens are not the only population at risk.
Consider this: single-vehicle accidents only make up a small percentage of accidents.
Most accidents will include another car, motorcycle, public transit, larger vehicle, or even pedestrians. Make no mistake about it, the 100 Deadliest Days applies to everyone, even people who aren’t driving, and even you.
So, how do we all stay safe?
At Good Works Auto Repair, we take safety very seriously. That is why we started the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” series, where we post something every day on social media that’s designed to help you, your teen, and others on the road be just a little safer.
Every single day until Labor Day, we will post some bit of information designed to help all of us safely navigate the next 100 days. We will provide great content on all our social media channels as we explore topics such as:
- Teen Driving Habits We Cannot Afford to Ignore
- The Dangers of Driving in the Arizona Heat
- How the AZ Weather and Monsoon Season Impact Safety
- How Maintenance and Repairs Help You Stay Safer
- Reckless Driving Habits Equal Dangerous Accidents
- How to Safely Share the Road with Non-Drivers
- How the AZ Road Conditions Can Be Hazardous
Let’s Drive Safely in AZ, and Have a Great Summer!
While you might decide to brave the latest installment of the Final Destination Bloodlines in theatres this summer, let’s make sure that art does NOT imitate life.
Let’s make the summer of 2025 the safest driving season yet.
Join our social media today to learn how you can help your teen (and you) stay safe. Let’s make 2025 the year we officially change the moniker of the “100 Deadliest Driving Days” to the “100 Safest Driving Days Ever!”
