The sun and beautiful weather makes you appreciate Nebraska summers. With ice and snow off the roads, it feels like the highways are safer. Unfortunately, summer brings a new hazard to Nebraska roads.
According to AAA, the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the’ “100 deadliest Days” for teen drivers.
Nationwide, summer months average 10 deaths a day from accidents involving teen drivers. This is a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year.
There are several factors that contribute to this increase in teenage driver accidents.
One of the main reasons is there are more teens on the road in the summer. Without school, teens have more free time, including time spent on the road. The more time on the road, the more chances for accidents.
Another factor is teenagers are staying up later and driving later into the night.
While Nebraska restricts drivers under 17 from driving (except to school or work) from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM, teens driving after dark face limited visibility and more wildlife on the road.
In the summer months, more teens are carpooling. Friends ride together to go fishing or see a movie. The more people in a car, the more distractions. Distracted driving is an issue with all age groups, and the problem doesn’t skip teen drivers.
Speed also plays a role in these crashes. According to the AAA article, 29 percent of all fatal teen crashes were speed-related.
Summer has much better driving conditions than the winter, with Nebraska roads clear of snow and ice. This can lend a false sense of security for drivers, and encourage faster driving.
If you have a teenager, the beginning of summer is a good time to talk about safe driving habits. Make sure they know what you expect from them when they’re behind the wheel.
Encountering distracted or dangerous drivers on the road is scary. If you’ve been in an accident with a distracted driver, a skilled personal injury attorney can make sure you are treated fairly.
