The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers, and safety experts warn that the risk on the roads increases sharply during the summer months.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers happen during the summer, when school is out, and more inexperienced drivers are behind the wheel.
Experts say the combination of freedom, distractions, passengers and increased time on the road can create dangerous conditions for teenagers.
“A car is a dangerous machine,” said Ashley Stewart, a mother of two teen daughters. “You guys may think it’s not, but you could kill somebody and I don’t want that to ever happen.”
Stewart’s 17-year-old daughter has been driving on her own for about five months. To help keep her safe, Stewart created a detailed driving contract that her daughter was required to sign before getting behind the wheel alone.
“She has a contract that she signed with us, and it has all of her rules, and she knows that she has to abide by those rules,” Stewart said. “If she doesn’t, she won’t have a car.”
The agreement includes 17 rules, including:
- No texting or phone use while driving
- Always wearing a seatbelt
- No speeding
- No horseplay in the car
- Following all traffic laws
- Limiting teen passengers
“You are not allowed to carry more than one person under the age of 21 in your car with the exception of your sister without speaking with your parents,” Stewart said.
Safety advocates say setting clear expectations can make a major difference.
Tips to help keep teen drivers safe this summer
Experts recommend families take several steps before handing over the keys:
- Set family driving rules and consequences
- Practice supervised driving in different conditions, including nighttime and heavy traffic
- Limit passengers to reduce distractions
- Ban phone use while driving and encourage teens to use “Do Not Disturb” mode
Attorney Ricky Hernandez with JD Silva & Associates says communication between parents and teens is critical.
“I think parents should do that with their teens,” Hernandez said of the driving contract. “Even if it doesn’t hold up legally in a court of law, it does hold up in the court of the kitchen.”
Hernandez says crashes involving teen drivers can have long-term consequences beyond injuries.
“It stays on your driving record. It’s going to increase your insurance rate,” Hernandez said. “As a teen already, you’re facing increased insurance rates.”
Stewart says despite the anxiety that comes with having a teen driver, she hopes constant conversations about safety will help protect her daughters.
“Sometimes I get anxiety, but I have an app on my phone so when they leave the house, I follow them absolutely wherever they’re going,” Stewart said.
With schools letting out for summer and more teens expected on the roads, experts are urging parents to stay involved and reinforce safe driving habits throughout the season.
AAA also has this sample agreement if parents want to use it.