Fatalities in teen-involved crashes continue to increase as we enter the “100 Deadliest Days”

Westwood, MA, June 2, 2022 – According to AAA, nationwide, 7,124 people died in crashes involving teen drivers from 2011 to 2020 during the “100 Deadliest Days,” the hazardous summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That’s more than seven people a day each summer. Last year, deaths increased by nearly 20 percent over 2019 with 850 people killed in teen-involved crashes across the country.

In statistics provided by AAA in Massachusetts, 45 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the “100 Deadliest Days” from 2011 to 2020. Compared to the rest of the year, the spike in crashes and deaths in the summer months is apparent: on average, 35 percent of teen-related fatalities in the Bay State happened during those three months.

The disproportionate number of teen driving crashes in the summer comes as teens have more freedom to drive and socialize while school is out of session. AAA research shows that teens tend to engage in riskier behaviors like speeding and aggressive driving more frequently than older, more experienced drivers. AAA studies also show that when a teen driver has only teen passengers in their vehicle, the fatality rate for all people involved in a crash increases by 51 percent.

The risk of being killed in a crash increases exponentially as more teens ride together in a vehicle without an adult older than 35 in the vehicle. A teen’s risk of dying in a crash increases by 44 percent with one passenger, doubles when carrying two passengers, and quadruples when carrying three or more passengers under 21.

AAA says that it’s critically important for families to agree to clear rules about safe driving before a teen gets behind the wheel.

“There are more daily deaths in crashes involving teen drivers during the summer months than the rest of the year because teens tend to have more unstructured time behind the wheel,” said Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Northeast. “We can require our young drivers to comply with passenger restriction laws, to eliminate distractions and stay focused when driving, to always wear a seat belt, and to drive within posted speed limits and it’s never too soon to educate teens on the dangers of the impairing effects of alcohol and marijuana. But actions speak louder than words. Remember to model good behavior as an adult driver because your teen won’t take your advice seriously if you don’t follow it yourself.”

To support parents in communicating with their teens on driving safety. AAA Northeast has resources online at AAA.com/DeadliestDays and on the club’s YouTube page

Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at a higher risk for crashes. According to the AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72% of teen drivers aged 16-18 admitted to having engaged in at least one of the following risky behaviors in the past 30 days:

• Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street (47%)

• Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40%)

• Texting (35%)

• Red-light running (32%)

• Aggressive driving (31%)

• Drowsy driving (25%)

• Driving without a seatbelt (17%)

To keep roads safer this summer, AAA encourages parents to:

-Talk with teens early and often about abstaining from dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment and distracted driving.

-Teach by example, and minimize risky behavior when driving.

-Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.

-Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving with their teen prior to the road test but continue to practice driving skills after licensure.