Memorial Day kicks off what is known as the "100 Deadliest Days" for teen drivers.
According to the AAA foundation, a thousand people die each year in teen driver accidents from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The main cause?
In fact, 60 percent of teen driver deaths during this time period is caused by distracted driving.
Some of the reasons as to why the "100 Deadliest Days" are especially dangerous for teens are:
- Teens are more likely to carry more passengers during the summer
- Teens are driving recreationally, often traveling on unfamiliar roads
- Teens are not just driving to and from school, like other days of the year
- CNN
From 2010 to 2014, over 5,000 deaths have occurred during those 100 days.
That amount of fatalities is startling, especially because distracted driving can certainly be avoided.
So, what is the number one cause for these accidents?
Passengers.
Being distracted by other passengers in the vehicle is the number one distraction for teen drivers, causing 15 percent of crashes. Operating a cell phone and attending to something inside the vehicle followed close behind, accounting for 12 and 11 percent of crashes respectively according to the AAA foundation.
Aside from distractions caused by a passenger or a cell phone, distracted driving also includes:
- Eating and drinking
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
Distracted driving is a serious and dangerous problem in Georgia. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, please fill out our free case evaluation.
Texting and Driving: Have you been injured by a driver that was texting?
Find a location near you