Maybe you’re used to hearing it referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days”.
AAA prefers to call the Summer break time between Memorial Day and Labor Day the “100 Days of Safe Driving”.
It earned the former name because the death rate for teenage drivers increases 20% during that period each year.
AAA Ohio Public Affairs Manager Morgan Dean says it starts with the driver putting that seat belt on, and requiring everyone else in the car to do the same.
From there, it’s removing distractions for that driver, who has a lot of responsibility in that moment on the road.
And maybe the message is being heard:
Traffic fatalities during the 100 days were down in Ohio last year compared to 2024.
Here’s more from AAA Ohio:
AAA encourages teens to use the summer months to build safe driving habits by avoiding distractions, obeying speed imits, wearing seat belts, and never driving impaired. Parents also play an important role by setting clear expectations early and modeling safe behavior behind the wheel.
AAA offers the following additional guidance for parents:
Talk with teens early and often about abstaining from dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment and distracted driving.
Teach by example and eliminate their own risky behavior when driving.
Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.
Conduct at least 60 hours of supervised practice driving with their teen, including 10 hours of night driving.
When evaluating a driving school for your teen, make sure the curriculum is up to date and includes topics like: advanced vehicle technology, the effects of cannabis on driving abilities, changes to Move Over laws, and sharing the road with vulnerable road users. Parents may also want to find a school that hosts parent specific sessions to help guide them through the process.
To support parents in conducting practice driving sessions, AAA provides a free four-page guide to help parents coach their teens on how to drive safely, “Coaching Your New Driver – An In-Car Guide for Parents.” The guide offers a driving log as well as behind-the-wheel lesson plans.
The AAA Teen Driver Website has a variety of tools to help prepare parents and teens for the dangerous summer driving season. The online AAA StartSmart Parent Session also offers excellent resources for parents on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage their teen’s overall driving privileges.
Summer travel and celebrations also increase the risk of impaired driving. AAA crash data analysis shows that nearly one in three summertime traffic deaths involves an impaired driver. In partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, AAA reminds anyone who plans to drink or use impairing substances to arrange a sober ride before going out.
