27-05-2025
AAA warns of increased teen driving risks during summer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Memorial Day marked the beginning of the '100 Deadliest Days,' a stretch of summer where fatal crashes involving teen drivers rise significantly. AAA is urging both parents and teens to take extra precautions on the road.
'This time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically,' said Elizabeth Carey, director of public relations for AAA. 'The latest numbers from 2023 show that 863 people were killed during that summer. That's about eight people per day, compared to seven during the rest of the year. We want to educate people, share information and curb this trend.'
AAA officials say some of the biggest distractions for teen drivers are phones and passengers.
'One of the bigger distractions for a new driver, believe it or not, is other people in the vehicle with them,' said Michael Formanowicz, AAA's manager of driver training. 'The phone is a distraction because if they're texting or talking, their eyes may not be on the road, and they're not thinking about the process of driving. The same thing happens if they're talking to passengers.'
Teen driver Erynn Ras said she knows how tempting it can be to check her phone, especially during the summer months.
'My phone is probably my biggest distraction,' Ras said. 'Hearing the notification or seeing it on CarPlay definitely makes me want to grab it, especially in the summer when we're not in school and there's a lot going on during the day.'
To resist the urge, Ras keeps her phone in the middle console or glove compartment while driving, something AAA encourages, especially among parents, who often serve as role models for young drivers.
'We always encourage parents to exhibit the best driving skills they possibly can,' Formanowicz said. 'That means staying undistracted, coming to complete stops, using head checks when merging, those behaviors are important.'
AAA recommends families have early and ongoing conversations with their teens about safe driving habits throughout the summer.
Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here.
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