Traffic safety experts warn of the ‘100 deadliest days of summer’ for teen drivers

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The “100 deadliest days of summer” runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  

According to AAA, nearly half of all teen driver fatalities happen during this time. Additionally, during the “100 deadliest days,” seven people die every day from crashes involving teen drivers.   

Joe Fitzgerald is a driver’s ed instructor and owner of Southeastern Driver Training Center in Wilmington. He said the most common mistakes that teen drivers make are often the simplest to avoid.  

“With teen drivers, you often see risky driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, whether or not it’s their cell phone or other passengers, but also other risky behaviors like not putting on a seat belt,” Fitzgerald said. 

AAA Spokesperson Tiffany Wright noted—for parents—teaching your teen to be a safe driver starts by setting a good example.  

“Make sure that you’re getting behind the wheel with your teen, that you’re involved in that learn to drive process, and that you’re setting a good example, in fact, when you’re behind the wheel and your teen is in the vehicle with you,” Wright said. 

As Fitzgerald explains, with school being out of session, teens are more likely to be in the car with friends and distracted while behind the wheel. He said those mistakes can lead to life-altering, or worse, life-ending consequences.  

“Coming from a law enforcement background myself, and as a traffic crash investigator and reconstructionist, there is nothing more challenging for law enforcement than knocking on doors and telling parents that their child is not coming home anymore,” Fitzgerald said.