Drinking & Driving, Speeding are Top Killers in Summer Car Crashes Involving Teens

Friday, May 31, 2019

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Graphic courtesy of AAA Northeast

Fatal teen crash rates show that drinking and driving, speeding and distraction are among top killers on the road over the summer, according to a new report released by AAA Northeast.

According to the report, over the past five years, nearly 3,500 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Of the 3,500, 28% of them were speeding, 17% of them were drinking and driving, and 9% were distracted.

“Crash data shows that teens are a vulnerable driver group with a higher probability of being involved in crashes. And while teens may make mistakes when first learning to drive, it is important to continue educating them about safety behind the wheel so they avoid the reckless behaviors that put themselves and others at risk on the road,” said Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs for AAA Northeast.

Report Breakdown

According to AAA’s report, nearly two-thirds of people injured or killed in a crash involving a teen driver are people other than the teen behind the wheel.

Over the last five years, an average of nearly 700 people died each year in crashes involving teen drivers.

The average number of deaths from crashes involving teen drivers ages 15-18 was 17 percent higher per day compared to other days of the year.

AAA’s breakdown is as follows:

Speeding

Speeding significantly increases the severity of a crash and is a growing problem among teen drivers. In AAA’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index, half (49.7 percent) of teen drivers reported speeding on a residential street in the past 30 days and nearly 40 percent say they sped on the freeway.

Drinking and Driving

Despite the fact that teens cannot legally consume alcohol, one in six teen drivers involved in fatal crashes during the summer tested positive for alcohol.

Distraction- Underreported Problem

More than half of teen drivers (52 percent) in AAA latest Traffic Safety Culture Index report reading a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days and nearly 40 percent report sending a text or email. It is difficult for law enforcement to detect distraction following a crash, which has made distracted driving one of the most underreported traffic safety issues.

Keeping Roads Safer

To keep roads safer this summer, AAA encourages parents to:

Talk with teens early and often about abstaining from dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment and distracted driving.
Teach by example and minimize risky behavior when driving.
Make a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.