You may have seen the press referring to the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the 100 deadliest days of summer. It’s not just an attention-grabbing headline they made up. It is based on facts.
This is the period of the year when teens are most likely to die in a vehicle crash. Road safety researchers believe the increase in teen fatalities every summer is down to a few things, including:
More time to drive
The more miles you drive the greater the chance you have a crash. As teens have more free time to go places when school is out for summer they are therefore more likely to die in a collision at this time of year than in term time.
More opportunities to consume alcohol
Summer sees a lot of parties, barbeques, festivals and other events where people get together and where many consume alcohol. Teens may be more tempted or pressured to drink. They may also be more likely to misjudge how much they have drunk, as some of these events go on for a long time. Alcohol will always increase the risk of a crash.
Greater temptation to speed
The sunshine and summer spirit often lead people to throw caution to the wind and do something they might not in the depths of winter, such as speeding.
Groups of teens often meet up to show off or race their vehicles in summer. Teens are also more likely to drive with a car full of friends who might encourage them to go faster
As summer progresses, learning how to claim compensation will be crucial for anyone injured by another driver – teen or adult.