COLUMBUS – This week marks the start of the 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers. This is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers historically rises. Experts fear an even deadlier summer this year, as many new teen drivers received less driving experience during the pandemic. To help protect teens, AAA is opening a new driving school and offering important safety advice to families.  

100 Deadliest Days Data:  

New national crash data reveals more than 7,000 people died in teen driving-related summertime crashes between 2010 and 2019. That’s more than seven people per day during these 100 Deadliest Days, compared to six people a day the rest of the year. In Ohio, an average of 23 teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes every year during the 100 Deadliest Days. 

 “There are more daily deaths in crashes involving teen drivers during the summer months than the rest of the year because teens tend to have more unstructured time behind the wheel,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research.  

  Introducing AAA Driver Education:  

As the 100 Deadliest Days begin, AAA Ohio Auto Club is opening a new driving school, AAA Driver Education, at its Worthington headquarters. The club will hold its first class on June 7 at 5:30 p.m. but has already begun behind-the-wheel lessons.  

 “Since developing the first driver education curriculum in 1935, AAA has been a trusted leader in the field of driver education,” said Kellie O’Riordan, traffic safety program manager for AAA Ohio and lead driving instructor for AAA Driver Education. “We are excited to offer AAA’s nationally recognized curriculum to central Ohio teens.”  

 Teen drivers remain overrepresented in motor vehicle crashes. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research has shown new teen drivers ages 16-17 are three times as likely as adults to be involved in a deadly crash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists inexperience as the number one reason teens crash.  

  AAA driving instructors say the top three mistakes they see inexperienced teen drivers making include:

  • Failure to yield  
  • Speed control  
  • Poor visual scanning 

 “While teens may make mistakes when first learning to drive, it is important to continue educating them about safety behind the wheel so they avoid the reckless behaviors that put themselves and others at risk on the road,” said O’Riordan.   

Parental Involvement:  

The state of Ohio requires all new teen drivers, younger than 18, to complete 24 hours of classroom education and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed driving instructor. Yet, parents are responsible for 86% of their teen’s driver education, as they must supervise 50 hours (including 10 at night) of driving before their teen can obtain a license.  

“AAA understands that parents are instrumental in teaching their teens to drive,” said O’Riordan. “That’s why we engage parents through mandatory parent orientation sessions, check-ins after every drive, and resources to assist families through the learning-to-drive process and beyond. We want parents to know we are invested in their child’s safety and are their partners in driver education. We don’t know of any other driving school that does this.”  

As teens take to the road this summer, especially with pandemic restrictions easing, parents can help protect their teens by:  

  • Discussing the dangers of risky driving behaviors, including speeding and nighttime driving.  
  • Teaching by example and minimizing risky behaviors when driving.  
  • Making a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers. Consider setting driving limits that are stronger than the state’s current law, and enforce those limits.  

“Parents have plenty to be concerned about as their teen hits the road this summer,” said Jennifer Ryan, AAA Director of State Relations. “Teens are making deadly mistakes on the road. Parents are the best line of defense to keep everyone safe behind the wheel.”   

AAA provides more than 62 million members with travel-, insurance-, financial- and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited online at AAA.com.  

Additional information on AAA Driver Education can be found at AAA.com/DriverEducation.