100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers

From Memorial Day and Labor Day, also referred to as the 100 days of summer, are nationally known as the most dangerous time for teen drivers.

Studies by AAA and The Florida Safe Teen Driving Coalition both indicate a sharp increase in fatal crashes with teen drivers behind the wheel, thereby dubbing the time as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.

Parents are the best line of defense to ensure teen drivers drive safely.  Some tips to help keep teen drivers safe include:

1. Limit the number of passengers.  Two additional passengers increase the risk of a crash by 158%.
2. Eliminate distractions.  Distraction plays a role in nearly six out of 10 teen crashes.  Top distractions for teens include talking to passengers and interacting with a smartphone.
3. Restrict nighttime driving.  Nighttime driving is riskier than daytime driving for all ages but particularly dangerous for inexperienced teen drivers. The fatal crash rate at night among teen drivers (ages 16-19 years) is about three times higher than adult drivers (ages 30-59 years).
4. Buckle up.  Safety belts were not worn in one-third of fatal or serious injury crashes involving teen drivers.

• Florida has more than 900,000 registered teen drivers, age 15 – 19.
• In Florida, teen drivers were involved in 56,091 crashes resulting in 345 fatalities and 1,945 serious injuries.
• Nationally, drivers age 16 and 17 have the highest crash rate of any group, while in Florida, teens age 18 and 19 have the highest crash rates.
• Peer pressure is an especially potent contributing factor to crashes involving a teen driver.

Resources for Safer Teen Driving

Teen Safe Driving Coalition has free printed materials.  Email info@FLTeenSafeDriver.org

Teen Safe Driving Coalition Fact Sheet 2024

Guide for Parents with Teen Drivers

Guide for Teen Drivers on Communicating with Parents

Safe Driving Contract – Parents and Teens