'100 deadliest days' begins for teen drivers. What to know in Florida
The "100 deadliest days" has begun.
That's the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day AAA describes as the time when crashes involving teen drivers spike.
During that time, on average, eight people lose their lives every day in a teen-related crash, AAA said in a news release.
There are 456,754 teen drivers on the road in Florida, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. As of May 5, 2024, 205,000 Florida teens between the ages of 15-19 were driving with a learner's license.
Here's what you should know, as both a parent and a teen driver.
"The stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers — a period when crashes involving teen drivers spike, leading to tragic consequences," AAA said.
AAA's review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed there is a 30% increase in deadly crashes involving teen drivers during summer compared to the rest of the year. On average, eight people lose their lives every day in a teen-related crash between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
"During the summer, teen drivers are on the road more often, usually with friends, which increases the risk of distraction and dangerous driving habits," said Rachel Wilson, director of driver education for AAA, The Auto Club Group.
"Many feel invincible behind the wheel, underestimating the dangers of speeding, distractions, and not wearing a seatbelt. But crashes hit different when they happen to you — and by then, it's too late."
In 2023, here are the numbers when it comes to teen drivers, according to FLHSMV:
Crashes: 19,980
Fatal crashes: 68
Fatalities: 83
Injury crashes: 2,114
Injuries: 3,084
New teen drivers, ages 16-17, are nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to adults, AAA said. The biggest contributing factors include:
Distraction: Nearly six out of 10 teen crashes involve some form of distraction. Teen passengers are the leading distraction, followed by cell phones and infotainment systems.
Speeding: Almost 30% of fatal teen crashes involve excessive speed.
Driving with teen passengers: Studies show that the risk of a fatal crash increases with each additional teen passenger.
Failure to wear a seatbelt: Seatbelt use significantly reduces the likelihood of serious injury or death.
"Teens are inexperienced behind the wheel, and that lack of experience combined with risky behaviors is a dangerous mix," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for for AAA, The Auto Club Group.
'More teens die in car crashes during summer than any other season. Parents must take an active role in coaching their teens and reinforcing safe driving habits."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said "teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer, compared to when driving alone."
"The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in one or more risky behaviors when traveling with multiple passengers increased to three times compared to when driving alone. In fact, research shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of teenagers in the car."
FLHSMV suggested these tips to stay safe this summer ... and whenever you're behind the wheel:
Before you drive:
Always buckle up and make sure all passengers buckle up, too.
Keep passengers at a minimum. Never try to fit more people in the car than you have seat belts for them to use.
Maintain your car's optimum performance.
Make sure your car has gas in it.
Get directions before you leave.
Be responsible, never drive impaired, and never ride with anyone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Don't drive drowsy.
While you drive:
Obey the speed limit. Excess speed is one of the main causes of teenage crashes.
Use your turn signals.
Don't blast your music. You might miss hearing a siren or a horn that could warn you of possible trouble.
Don't drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and mind on driving.
Share the road with others. Watch out for motorcycles, bikes and pedestrians.
Don't leave your car in cruise control when you're driving late at night or when you're tired.
Stay alert. Be aware of the weather, traffic congestion and road conditions.
AAA urges parents to take proactive steps to ensure their teens are driving safely:
Lead by example. Model good driving behavior by avoiding distractions, obeying speed limits, and always buckling up.
Provide at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice. Give teens experience driving in diverse conditions— nighttime, inclement weather, highways, and busy streets.
Teach defensive driving skills. Encourage teens to anticipate hazards, stay alert, and maintain a safe following distance.
Create a parent-teen driving agreement. Establish clear rules about when, where, and with whom your teen can drive. Clearly outline the consequences for breaking the rules and rewards for driving safe.
Here's a few things you may not know — or a reminder if you did know — about teens driving in Florida, according to the FLHSMV:
Parents can rescind a minor's driver license.
The parent or guardian who signs the parental consent form can rescind responsibility for their minor's driving and cancel the minor's license.
If teens get six or more points on their license within 12 months, their license is restricted to 'Business Purposes Only' for one year.
If teens receive six points on their driving record within a 12 month period, driving privileges are automatically restricted to Business Purposes Only for 12 months or until age 18, whichever happens first.
If under 21, there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving.
Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02 percent or more will have their license immediately suspended for six months. A second offense will result in a one year suspension. Refusal to submit to testing (first offense) results in a suspension of 12 months, 18 months on a second offense.
If a teen receives a moving violation conviction with a Learner's License, they have one more year until they can get an Operator's License.
If a teen receives a moving traffic conviction with a Learner's License, the one-year period required to hold the Learner's License will be extended for one year from the date of the conviction, or until 18 years old, whichever happens first.
Teens must be in compliance with school attendance, or they will be ineligible to obtain or maintain their license.
If not in compliance with school attendance, a teen's driving privilege can be suspended until proof of attendance in school for 30 consecutive days has been provided.
If convicted of possession of tobacco, minors lose their license for a minimum of 30 days.
If convicted for possession of tobacco or nicotine products under the age of 18, the minor's license will be suspended for 30 days or more.
There are driving curfews for minors with learner's and driver licenses:
Learner's license
Hours: Daylight hours for first three months after license issued; until 10 p.m. after three months
Special requirements: Always accompanied by a licensed driver 21+; Must hold for a minimum of 12 months or until 18th birthday, whichever comes first; Required 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night.
Driver's license, age 16
Hours: Driving is only allowed between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Notes: Unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver 21+
Driver's license, age 17
Hours: Driving is only allowed between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.
Notes: Unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver 21+
In 2023, these were the most common citations issued to teen drivers in Florida:
Unlawful speed
Careless driving
operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance
operating a motor vehicle without a driver license
learner license violation
failure to observe stop sign
failure to display driver license
failure to obey traffic control device
operating a motor vehicle with an obscured, defaced or no tag
seat belt violation
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Crashes, fatalities peak during summer for teen drivers. Risk factors
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