Tips for protecting teen drivers during 100 deadliest days
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically sees a spike in deadly crashes involving younger drivers, according to the American Automobile Association, or AAA.
It's become known as the '100 deadliest days' for teen driving.
AAA reports teen drivers are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be killed in a crash. Daniel Armbruster, a spokesperson for AAA in Texas and New Mexico, said it's in part due to the inexperience of younger drivers.
'But also we know this increase that we see in summer time is because of the fact that kids are out of school. They have more freedom and less supervision, and so they tend to behave in a way that is more risky behind the wheel,' Armbruster said.
He highlighted speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving as some of the top factors contributing to crashes. According to AAA, 60% of all teen crashes involve a form of distraction, from smart phone use and texting to other passengers in the car.
'Talking, conversations can occur when you have several young people in a car, and the driver can become distracted,' Armbruster said, emphasizing the need for the state's graduated driver's licensing law. It restricts the number of people in the vehicle allowed with a teen driver to one person under the age of 21 that is not a family member.
AAA also offers 'Dare to Prepare' workshops for teens and their parents to raise awareness. The free, 75-minute interactive or in-person workshop highlights the roles and responsibilities of driving, how to pick a safe vehicle and what to look for in a good driving school.
Armbruster serves as an instructor for some of these workshops.
'A lot of times, teens come in, and you can see it on their face, right? 'Oh, a workshop my parent made me come to.' But they leave with a gratitude because they've received a lot of information that is helpful in not only saving their lives, but also the lives of everyone on the road,' he said.
Across the country, 13,135 people died in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019-2023, according to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Texas alone, 1,463 people died in teen crashes during that same period. Approximately 30% of those deaths occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
AAA's review went on to show that, on average, eight people are killed per day in teen-involved driving crashes in the summer, compared to seven per day during the rest of the year.
In his experience with the Dare to Prepare workshops, Armbruster said the knowledge is as important for parents as it is for teens.
'If you are speeding, if you are driving distracted, they are more likely to pick that up,' he noted.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
23 minutes ago
- New York Post
Crypto bros in twisted kidnap, torture case hosted wild sex parties with help of alleged madam: sources
The crypto bros at the center of a twisted kidnapping case allegedly hosted wild sex parties with the help of an apparent madam at the posh New York City townhouse where they are accused of torturing an Italian Bitcoin millionaire, sources told The Post. The so-called madam, who has not been named publicly, is suspected of recruiting girls from a popular SoHo boutique to party with William Duplessie, 32, and John Woeltz, 37, at the ritzy Prince Street pad, according to the sources. Footage published by TMZ Thursday apparently showed the recruits inside the lavish digs with the alleged victim, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, at some point during his three weeks allegedly being held hostage. Advertisement 5 Footage published by TMZ apparently showed the alleged victim, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, with the women sources say were recruited for sex parties. via TMZ On occasion, Carturan — a wealthy trader worth some $30 million — was allegedly made to have sex with the women, the sources said. Clips and images obtained by the outlet reportedly showed a shirtless Carturan being led on a leash by a blonde woman wearing a tanktop and black pants. Advertisement Another video showed Carturan laying on a couch while a man sat nearby with what appeared to be a knife on his lap. Carturan, 28, was allegedly lured to the Big Apple with the promise of that he'd be able to recoup Bitcoin the sick pair had allegedly coerced from him by threatening to kill his family, Manhattan prosecutors have said. 5 Clips and images obtained by the outlet reportedly showed a shirtless Carturan with a naked woman. via TMZ 5 Other clips showed Carturan lying on a couch while another man sat nearby with what appeared to be a knife on his lap. via TMZ Advertisement He was picked up from the airport on May 6 and brought to the SoHo house of horrors by a since-suspended NYPD detective who was working security on the side, sources previously said. Carturan wasn't tied up until May 11, according to sources — which is when the depraved duo allegedly began torturing him for his Bitcoin password. He was severely beaten, shocked with electrical wires, forced to smoke from a crack pipe and at one point dangled him from a staircase five stories high, authorities said. The sick saga only came to light after the Italian national managed to escape on May 23, bloodied and barefoot, when he finally agreed to hand over his computer password as a ruse, cops said. Advertisement He fled the home when his captors went to retrieve the device. Woeltz was arrested that same day in his bathrobe outside the luxury rental, while Duplessie surrendered the following week after partying it up in the Hamptons from Memorial Day weekend. 5 John Woeltz, 37, was arrested in his bathrobe outside the luxury rental after the alleged victim escaped. Michael Nagle 5 William Duplessie, 32, surrendered after partying it up in the Hamptons from Memorial Day weekend. Steven Hirsch A subsequent search of the townhouse turned up cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor, night vision goggles, ammunition and polaroid photos of the victim with a gun pointed to his head, prosecutors said It wasn't immediately clear if cops were investigating the newly surfaced videos as part of the ongoing case. The Post reached out to the NYPD and Manhattan DA's office but didn't hear back immediately. Advertisement The two accused kidnappers remain in custody and are due back in court later this month. Duplessie's attorney declined to comment Thursday, while Woeltz's lawyer didn't immediately return a request.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Vallejo police make arrest in deadly triple shooting at homeless encampment
A man suspected in a triple shooting that killed two people at a homeless encampment in Vallejo over Memorial Day weekend was arrested in San Francisco, police said. With the help of U.S. Marshals, police arrested 45-year-old Eddie Charles Sample during an operation Wednesday at a location on Cravath Street on Treasure Island. Sample was taken into custody without incident. Police said Sample is connected to a shooting that took place at an encampment near Sacramento Street and Daniels Avenue on May 26. According to officers, three adult males were found with gunshot wounds around 5:30 p.m. Officers rendered medical aid to the victims until medical personnel arrived. Two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third victim was taken to a hospital with a life-threatening injury. Police did not release the identities of the victims. Following the shooting, investigators identified Sample as the suspect. On May 30, detectives obtained an arrest warrant and requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service in locating him, citing public safety concerns. "The Vallejo Police Department will continue to direct every available resource toward holding violent offenders accountable and protecting our community. I want to thank the U.S. Marshals Service and our officers for their coordinated efforts and swift action in safely apprehending the suspect responsible for this senseless act of violence," Chief Jason Ta said in a statement Thursday morning. Sample was booked into the Solano County Jail on suspicion of murder. Jail records show he is being held without bail, with a court appearance scheduled for Friday afternoon. Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Detective William Carpenter or Detective Wesley Pittman over email or by calling 707-651-7146 for Carpenter or 707-334-1274 for Pittman. Tips can be given anonymously by calling 1-800-488-9383.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jackie Goodman, former Austin City Council Member and environmental advocate, has died
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Austin City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman died, according to a social media post by current Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa on Wednesday. Goodman served as a city council member between 1993 and 2005 and a term as Mayor Pro Tem. Prior to joining the city council, she worked as an early childhood educator. Beginning in the 1970s, she contributed to environmental causes as part of the 'Zilker Park Posse,' according to the Austin History Center. She was also a member of the Save Barton Creek Association for more than 30 years, a steering committee member of Save Our Springs, and worked with other local environmental groups. During her time on the city council, Goodman successfully led a petition effort to remove term limits on council members. The Austin Commission for Women inducted Goodman into its Hall of Fame in 2016. Fuentes said she was 'saddened' by Goodman's passing. 'Jackie served our city with distinction for 12 years on Council (1993-2005) and as Mayor Pro Tem. She was a passionate advocate for environmental protection, underserved communities, and thoughtful growth,' Fuentes said. 'Our thoughts are with her family. Jackie's legacy of public service will continue to inspire Austin.' Former Austin Mayors Lee Leffingwell (2009-2015) and Will Wynn (2003-2009) also sent statements. 'Jackie was an incredibly savvy political and policy operative,' Leffingwell wrote. 'She would navigate the Council dais, and the community, as she championed the important issues around our regional growth. Her dedication to our community set a high standard. I would count on her to have the deepest understanding of the most complicated issues, and the solutions to go with them.' 'I learned so much from Jackie over the five years we served together. She was such an important voice for so many Austinites. I will miss her,' Wynn wrote. Former Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant wrote on social media that he and Goodman had been friends for over 40 years. 'She was passionate and pushy in her quiet way when it came to how the City of Austin should address growth and our environment,' Elfant said. 'I last spoke with Jackie just a few weeks ago when she was attempting to resolve an issue for a neighborhood association. Jackie's work on and off the council dais helped make Austin a better place. May her memory be a blessing.' The Travis County Democratic Party and Friends of Armadillo Park also posted tributes to the former council member. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
