Memorial Day marks the beginning of the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ – a period of time when teens experience the most fatal car wrecks.
Over the past five years, more than 5,000 people have been killed during this period.
Tiffany Wright works with AAA Carolinas. This year, the company conducted a survey that found 60% of teen crashes involve distracted driving.
“The 100 Deadliest Days, it’s an important time to remind everybody to have those conversations with their teens, obey traffic safety laws and eliminate as many distractions as you can behind the wheel,” Wright said.
Wright says crashes involving teen drivers increase during the summer months for several reasons. A combination of more drivers on the road, a lack of experience behind the wheel and increased distractions all contribute to the uptick in fatal wrecks.
“When you talk about cell phone use, you’re increasing your chances anywhere from 25-30% higher of being in a wreck.”
But even though teens know they aren’t supposed to text and drive, Wright says nothing’s changed. 50% of teens admitted to reading or sending text messages while driving in the past 30 days.
“I think it’s pretty scary that teen drivers, now a days, they all admit that they know that texting and driving is wrong but they still admit to doing that.”
AAA’s report analyzed 2,200 videos of crashes and concluded the top reasons for distracted driving include talking to other passengers, cell phone use and looking at something in the vehicle.
Since 2010, 16,662 people in North Carolina have been injured in teen distracted driving related crashes. Wright’s advice to stay safe during the summer months is simple.
“It’s very easy. Pull off to the side of the road, get to a safe spot, then do what you need to do.”
She also urges parents to set a good example for their teens and refrain from distracted driving.
They see mom and dad doing it and they say they can do it. ‘I’m young, I’ve got fast reflexes, I can multi task.’”
And for everyone else, she asks for patience.
“You know during this time there’s going to be more teens on the road, so be a little bit more patient. Teens aren’t as experienced behind the wheel.”
Wright warns that the 100 Deadliest Days aren’t only for teens, and that everyone in the community should be on their guard.
“It’s dangerous for everyone. It’s not just the teens behind the wheel, but it’s also the lives they’re endangering on the road.”
With texting increasing the risk of a crash by 23 times, Wright says it’s worth it to ‘disconnect and drive.’
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