Did you know the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the 100 deadliest days of summer? The time period has been given this name because of the significant increase in fatal crashes. From 2016-2019, the number of crashes during this time was declining. However, during these 100 days in 2020, the number increased by more than one-third with 452 crashes killing 478 people. Even though these 100 days only represent 27 percent of the calendar year, they account for more than one third of all fatal traffic crashes and deaths.
Speeding and driving while impaired are two significant contributors to these dangerous accidents. In Ohio, these 100 days also represent the ideal motorcycle riding months. In 2020, 60 percent of all motorcycle-involved crashes and 28 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurred during this time frame.
Teenage Driving Accidents
During these 100 days, it is important to talk to teens about safe driving practices. According to AAA, this time is especially risky for teenagers with “drivers ages 16-17 years old three times more likely to be involved in deadly crashes than adults”. On average, in Ohio, 23 teenagers are killed in crashes during this time each year. Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research stated, “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”.
AAA driving instructors advise these are the most common mistakes made by teen drivers:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Poor visual scanning
AAA encourages parents to:
- Teach by example
- Talk frequently about risky behavior behind the wheel with new drivers
- Practice driving with teens including at night
- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules
Ohio police and patrol encourage the discussion of:
- Reckless driving
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Seat belt use
- Teen passengers
- Driver inexperience
- Nighttime driving
- Drowsy driving
Safety Tips for Driving this Summer
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to drive buckled, focused, and sober. Patrol superintendent, Colonel Richard S. Fambro, advises people to “protect yourself and others on the road by committing to safe driving habits such as driving sober, obeying the speed limit and not driving distracted. The safety of everyone using our roads is our primary concern.” You can help keep roads safe by calling #677 to report dangerous or impaired driving and drug activity.
If you or a loved one are involved in a serious or fatal traffic crash, our experienced attorneys can help. Contact our Cleveland car accident lawyers today for a free consultation. Our dedicated team can help answer your questions and guide you through next steps.