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100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers has begun, says AAA

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day

AAA says the 100 deadliest days runs from Memorial Day through the Labor Day weekend adding that this is a time when there is an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

“AAA shares this information to remind all drivers to stay alert why behind the wheel and to have a discussion with their teen about the importance of being a safe driver.”

That’s AAA spokesperson Adrianne Woodland.  

She says traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19. She says there are several risk factors for teens on the road.

“For a teen driver the biggest distraction are teen passengers. And the second biggest is cell phones and car infotainment systems. New teen drivers are 3 times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash than adults.”

Other risk factors include speeding and not wearing a safety belt.  But Woodland says parents can help by being involved in their “learning to drive” process and by leading by example.

“You yourself want to minimize risky behavior when you drive. Don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions and always wear your seatbelt. Your driving skills and judgment behind the wheel shape your child’s view of safe driving habits well before their old enough to drive.”

They add parents could also establish a parent-teen driving agreement with consequences and rewards for driving safe.

You can find more information at AAA.com

Jennifer is an award winning broadcast news journalist with more than two decades of professional television news experience including the nation's fifth largest news market. She's worked as both news reporter and news anchor for television and radio in markets from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo all the way to San Francisco, California.
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