The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer and the Dangers for Teen Drivers

In the classic song “Summertime Blues,” a teen complains about the tremendous problems of working too much and not being able to drive a car. Anybody who understands the dangers faced by teen drivers during the summer might think that teens should be celebrating rather than singing the blues. During the 100 deadliest days of summer, teen drivers would be better off working most of the time. Our Fort Walton Beach auto accident attorney reviews the dangers teen drivers face during the summer. 

Why is Summertime a Problem for Many Teen Drivers?

The American Automobile Association (AAA) refers to the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers. Teens drive all year long, so why are the summer months so dangerous? Our Fort Walton Beach auto accident attorney sees that the problems that lead to accidents for teens can be exacerbated during the unstructured days of summer.  Teen drivers are the least experienced, and their instincts are not automatically the most helpful when they encounter an unexpected situation on the road. The lack of experience combined with immature judgment skills can be a fatal combination.  Moreover, teen drivers often neglect to wear safety belts, which leads to more serious injuries in an accident. 

Teen Drivers Have More Free Time in the Summer—and So Do Their Friends

Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents for teens, and those distractions tend to multiply during the summer. While talking on the phone is dangerous, an automobile accident attorney in Fort Walton Beach knows that talking to passengers in the car can be just as distracting, if not more so. While school is out of session, even teens who work full time have more opportunities to drive around with friends. And the friends can be a lot more interesting and more likely to capture a driver’s attention than the mundane task of driving. 

Driving Out of Their Comfort Zones

During the school year, teens may spend most of their driving time traveling routes they know well back and forth to school and work. In the summer, however, they often venture further afield. Even if a trip is not a long one, if it involves unfamiliar roads or more contact with trucks, a teen driver can become easily distracted or panicked. If a teen takes longer trips to the beach or another destination, they may more easily succumb to road fatigue because of their inexperience. Even if a teen doesn’t drink while driving, drowsy driving can be just about as dangerous. 

A Fort Walton Beach Auto Accident Attorney Can Help Prove Liability for an Accident

Just because teens are inexperienced does not mean that they are automatically at fault every time they’re in an accident. While the 100 days of summer can pose a deadly risk for teens, it is still necessary to investigate every accident thoroughly to learn who could be held responsible. 

A knowledgeable Fort Walton Beach auto accident attorney at Searcy Denney is ready to help if you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident. To learn more about how we may be able to help with your case, call us at 888-549-7011 or contact us online for a free consultation.