Page 17 - Explore Your AAA – AAA Southern Pennsylvania – May/June 2019

Automotive
More than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2016 during the 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when teen crash deaths historically climb. That is an average of 10 people per day — a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year, according to data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. As school lets out for summer, AAA stresses the importance of preparing and educating inexperienced teen drivers for some of the most dangerous driving days of the year.
Speed and nighttime driving are significant factors contributing towards the number of crashes, and subsequently fatalities, involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days (statistics based on 2016 NHTSA FARS data as analyzed by the AAA Foundation).
Nighttime Driving
Thirty-six percent of all motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Data shows a 22 percent increase in the average number of nighttime crashes per day involving teen drivers during the 100 Deadliest Days compared to the rest of the year.
Speeding
Speeding is a factor in 29 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involving a teen driver. A AAA survey of driving instructors found that speeding is one of the top three mistakes teens make when learning to drive.
As school lets out for summer, AAA stresses the importance of preparing and educating inexperienced teen drivers for some of the most dangerous driving days of the year.
Distractions
Distraction plays a role in nearly six of 10 teen crashes, four times as many as official estimates based on police reports. The top distractions for teens include talking to other passengers in the vehicle and interacting with a smartphone.
In preparation for the dangerous summer driving period, AAA encourages parents to educate their teens and themselves about risky driving behavior. Keep teen drivers safe with these tips:
• Discuss with teens early and often the dangers of risky driving situations, such as speeding and nighttime driving.
• Teach by example and minimize your own risky behavior when behind the wheel.
• Set rules against driving with teen passengers and restrict their teens from riding as a passenger with another teen driver.
• Restrict night driving by not letting teens drive after 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Make a parent-teen driving agreement that
sets family rules for teen drivers. Consider setting driving limits that are stronger than a state’s law, and enforce those limits.
TeenDriving.AAA.com has a variety of tools, including licensing and state law information, to help prepare parents and teens for not only the dangerous summer driving season, but also all year long.
The site also features new interactive widgets highlighting teen driving risks,
as well as a social host quiz. The online AAA StartSmart program also offers great resources for parents on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage their teen’s overall driving privileges.
Strengthening teen driving laws to increase roadway safety is a top priority for AAA. The Association’s advocacy efforts are helping to protect teens by working to pass graduated driver licensing laws, including seat belt requirements, wireless device bans and nighttime driving and passenger restrictions, in states across the country.
MAY/JUNE 2019
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