If you have a teenage driver, pay special attention to their driving habits this summer as you hand them the car keys. Fatal car crashes claim the lives of teenagers during the summer vacation months more than any other time of the year. The most dangerous period for teenage driving accidents is between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Overall, the most recent data indicates that over 7,300 teenagers lost their lives in car accidents between 2005 and 2009. So why are the summer months so susceptible to teenage car accident deaths? The American Automobile Association (AAA) says that during the school year, teens drive with a purpose of getting to a destination. Teenagers drive to school, work and other scheduled activities. However, in the summertime, many teens do not have a schedule to follow and end up getting in the car and driving around for fun with friends.
With more passengers in the car and nowhere to go, there can be a lot of distractions and careless driving. In addition, parties are not limited to weekends in the summertime. Parties can mean alcohol mixed with driving any night of the week over the summer.
Make sure you know where your teen is going every time he or she gets in the car. If you or your child suffers injury from a careless driver, call our office for a free case review with a personal injury lawyer.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans accident attorneys