AAA warns of ‘100 Deadliest Days’ for teen drivers during summer months
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — While summer brings a break from school, AAA is warning it also marks the most dangerous time of year for teen drivers on the road.
According to the organization, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day — known as the “100 Deadliest Days” — sees a significant increase in teen-related crashes. Lori Weaver-Hawkins with AAA says that nearly 19,000 crashes involving teen drivers occurred in Kentucky in 2024 alone, resulting in 62 fatalities.
“Statistically, about 30 percent of all crashes happen in between Memorial Day and Labor Day,” Weaver-Hawkins said.
AAA attributes the spike to inexperience, distractions, and increased free time behind the wheel during the summer break. Weaver-Hawkins urges parents to talk to their teens about driving safety, especially about always buckling up, avoiding distractions, and obeying speed limits.
“Parents need to talk to their teens about always buckling up… and then also talk to them about distracted driving,” she said, adding that teens often model what they see. “If they see mom or dad driving and texting… they’re learning that’s really not that dangerous.”
She also noted that with the learner’s permit age recently lowered to 15 in Kentucky, it’s more important than ever for parents to ensure their teens get the recommended amount of supervised practice before applying for a license.
