How speeding, nighttime driving & distractions fuel summer teen crash rates
The stretch of road between Memorial Day and Labor Day comes with an invisible warning sign, especially for young drivers. It's known as the “100 Deadliest Days,” and the numbers behind the name are sobering. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 13,000 people lost their lives in car accidents involving teen drivers. Over 30% of those deaths happened during the summer months.
It’s not hard to see why. School’s out, and teens are driving more, often without adult supervision. More time behind the wheel, plus youthful inexperience, equals a season that’s statistically more dangerous. In fact, according to AAA’s review of federal crash data, eight people die every day in summer crashes involving teen drivers, compared to seven per day during the rest of the year.
What makes teen driving riskier in the summer?
Freedom feels good, especially when you’re young. But for teen drivers, that sense of freedom often comes with risk. During the school year, their time behind the wheel is more limited with commutes to school, after-school activities, and a ride to work. Come summer, they’re driving to beaches, parties, and late-night meetups. There’s less structure, fewer adults around, and often more passengers packed into the car.
Teen drivers are still learning how to handle the road and their own judgment. Most haven’t developed the kind of muscle memory and instinct that older drivers have. Additionally, their brains are still developing, especially the part that manages risk assessment and impulse control. Add peer pressure, speeding, or late-night driving into the mix, and it’s a recipe for trouble.
Even one extra passenger can double the likelihood of a crash. With three or more, the risk quadruples. These aren’t just numbers; they’re the difference between a safe ride home and a phone call no parent ever wants to get.
How can parents make a difference?
A parent’s influence doesn’t end the moment the keys are handed over. It begins there. Teens mimic what they see. If you buckle up, they’re more likely to. If you speed, they will too. And if you glance at your phone while driving, chances are they’ll do the same, only worse, because they’re not as experienced.
One smart step is to sit down and talk. AAA offers a parent-teen driving agreement that allows families to set clear rules regarding curfews, speeding, phone use, and passengers. It’s a conversation starter, but it’s also a contract and something that says, “This matters.”
Summer is the perfect time to enroll your teen in a driver education course. It’s not just about passing a test. A comprehensive program can teach defensive driving techniques, emergency handling, and how to make smart choices under pressure.
Why is distracted driving still such a big problem?
Distraction is no longer just a bad habit; it’s a culture. Smartphones are an integral part of daily life, especially for teens who have grown up with them. Even with nearly all states banning texting while driving, enforcement is tough, and the temptation is strong.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving resulted in over 3,000 road deaths in 2023. Since not all forms of distracted driving leave evidence, the real number could be higher. After all, few drivers admit to being on their phones at the time of a crash. Unless there’s a witness or clear evidence, it’s hard to prove.
The truth is, distraction goes beyond texting. Changing music, checking notifications, and taking selfies. It all pulls attention away from the road. For inexperienced drivers, even a split-second lapse can end in disaster.
Can smartphone tech actually help prevent crashes?
Most phones now come with a “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature that silences calls and messages once motion is detected. It’s a simple tool with big potential. However, according to AAA Foundation research, many drivers either don’t use it or are unaware of its operation. Young adults between 18 and 24 are also the most familiar with the technology. Yet many still choose not to activate it. Some worry they’ll miss out on something important. Others think it blocks music or GPS (it doesn’t). Some just forget to turn it on.
Researchers provided drivers with a brief training session on how to use the feature, then monitored their behavior over a 10-week period. Once they understood how to set it up and let it activate automatically, usage increased. Awareness led to action. Drivers say they’d be more likely to use the feature if they could fine-tune it. They also liked the idea of the phone recognizing whether they were driving or just riding as a passenger.
Some suggested they'd be more inclined to use it during bad weather or in heavy traffic, and others said they’d switch it on if it led to insurance discounts. Ultimately, it’s not about the tech; it’s about building new habits. Habits take time, encouragement, and often, a nudge from someone who cares.
Not all teen drivers are to blame—many are victims, too
It’s easy to assume that a crash involving a teen driver means the teen was at fault—but that’s not always true. Many teens drive responsibly and still get hurt due to another driver’s reckless behavior. In other cases, teens are injured as passengers, with no control over what happened.
At Jabar LaLiberty, LLC, our car accident lawyers represent injured teens and their families—whether they were hit by a distracted driver, riding in a friend’s car, or injured in a crash caused by unsafe road conditions or vehicle defects. We understand the physical and emotional toll a serious crash can have on a young person’s future.
If your teen was hurt through no fault of their own, we’ll fight to hold the right party accountable and pursue the full compensation your family needs to recover.
Talk to a Maine car accident lawyer about your legal rights and options
If you were injured in a crash involving a teen driver, or if your teen was hurt in an accident that was someone else's fault, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The experienced Maine car accident lawyers at Jabar LaLiberty can determine liability and deal directly with insurance companies that may try to downplay your claim.
Our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team is ready to listen to your story and answer any questions you have. Your consultation is completely free, and there’s no cost unless we win your case. We proudly serve clients in Waterville, Portland, and communities throughout Central and Southern Maine. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and get the justice you deserve.
“I don’t know that any other attorney would have taken so much upon himself, not only to do the work, but to motivate me to help him do the work. And he did!! Smart, personable, experienced – what more could you want?” – Personal injury client, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐