If you drive in the summer, it’s important to note that the risks around you on the road may be greater than they are at other times of the year. In fact, the summer season has been deemed the “100 deadliest days for teen drivers.” This nickname certainly shows how significant the risk is.
One thing that causes the increase in fatal accidents is simply that teenagers are not in school any longer. Summer break gives them more time to drive simply because they have more free time. Teenagers need to learn how to drive and gain experience so that they can operate their vehicles safely. But many of them will crash during the summer months, perhaps, because they still lack that crucial experience.
3 common reasons for these crashes
Inexperience is one of the biggest issues, but there are some specific issues that cause the increase in fatal accidents for teens. These are:
- Breaking the speed limit, which happens in about 30% of deadly crashes involving teenagers.
- Not wearing a seatbelt, which is an issue that is not exclusive to teens since seatbelts dramatically reduce the odds that an accident will be deadly for anyone.
- Getting distracted, which has numerous potential sources. Teens can be distracted by friends, by the radio or by their cellphone, just to name three examples.
You may not be a teen driver yourself, but you’re going to be sharing the road with them during the winter, and they can cause serious accidents. If you’ve lost a loved one or suffered significant injuries yourself, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation.