As the school year wraps up, teen drivers are eager to hit the roads and embrace their independence…but that also means increased risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highlights that while drivers aged 15-20 make up just 5% of licensed drivers, they account for nearly 13% of property damage crashes, over 12% of injury crashes, and more than 8% of fatal crashes. The summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day are known as the “100 Deadliest Days,” making safety a top priority.
To help families navigate these risks, I had a chance to interview. Jon Wey, Director of Consumer & Technology Insights at State Farm.
Let's Talk Summer Driving: Helping Teens Stay Safe During the "100 Deadliest Days"
Summer brings freedom, road trips, summer jobs, and plenty of opportunities for teens to get behind the wheel. But it also comes with increased risk. In fact, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often referred to as the "100 Deadliest Days" because it is the most dangerous time of year for teen drivers.
If you're the parent of a new driver, understanding these risks—and talking about them openly—can help your teen develop safer habits that last a lifetime.
Why Is Summer Especially Dangerous for Teen Drivers?
Teen drivers are already one of the highest-risk groups on the road. Although they make up only about 4% of licensed drivers in the United States, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens.[1][2]
Summer adds another layer of risk. With school out, teens spend more time driving independently, often traveling to jobs, sporting events, vacations, and social activities. More time on the road means more opportunities for mistakes.
Driving experience also plays a major role. Teen drivers have a crash rate nearly four times higher than drivers age 20 and older, and their risk is highest during the first six months of driving alone.[3][4] During the summer months, many teens are accumulating those first miles of independent driving, often while carrying friends or navigating unfamiliar situations.
According to the National Road Safety Foundation, other factors contributing to increased summer crashes include distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving among some young drivers.
What Are Common Distractions for Teen Drivers?
When most people think of distracted driving, they think of texting—and for good reason.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that one in three teens who text admit to doing so while driving. Research has shown that dialing a phone can increase crash risk sixfold, while texting can increase crash risk by as much as 23 times.[9]
But phones aren't the only distraction.
Common distractions for teens include:
- Texting, calling, or using apps
- Adjusting music, navigation, or vehicle controls
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Applying makeup or grooming
- Talking with passengers
- Taking photos or videos
- Looking at notifications from smart devices
Perhaps most important, teens are often distracted by other teens. Friends in the vehicle can create conversations, horseplay, or peer pressure that pull a driver's attention away from the road. Just a few seconds of distraction can be enough to miss a traffic signal, fail to see a pedestrian, or react too slowly to a sudden hazard.
What's the Connection Between Devices, Speeding, and Other Unsafe Behaviors?
Today's teens are the first generation to grow up fully connected to smartphones, social media, and constant notifications. Unfortunately, those devices don't just create distraction—they can also contribute to other risky driving behaviors.
When drivers split their attention between the road and a device, they are less likely to notice how fast they're traveling, how closely they're following another vehicle, or changing road conditions ahead. Device use can also encourage impulsive decision-making, such as rushing to answer a message, checking notifications at stoplights, or attempting to multitask while driving.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that immaturity and inexperience contribute to risky behaviors among teen drivers, including speeding, following too closely, and failing to wear seat belts.[3] Speeding remains a significant factor in fatal crashes involving young drivers. During summer months, when teens are driving more frequently and often with friends, the temptation to take risks can increase.
The safest approach is simple: before the vehicle starts moving, place phones out of reach, activate "Do Not Disturb While Driving" features, and focus solely on driving.
How Can Parents Encourage Safer Driving Habits?
Parents remain the single most important influence on a teen's driving behavior.[3] Long before teens earn their license, they're watching how adults drive—and often copying those habits.
One of the best ways to promote safe driving is to model it yourself. Put your phone away, wear your seat belt every trip, obey speed limits, and avoid aggressive driving.
Parents can also:
Support Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) rules.
Graduated Driver Licensing programs gradually introduce new driving privileges while limiting higher-risk situations such as nighttime driving and carrying multiple teen passengers. States with strong GDL programs have reduced teen crash rates by as much as 50%.[6]
Practice driving in a variety of conditions.
Experience matters. Give teens opportunities to drive in rain, heavy traffic, rural roads, highways, and at night while you're still in the passenger seat.
Set clear expectations.
Create family rules about seat belt use, phone use, speeding, and passengers. Consistency is important.
Choose the safest vehicle possible.
Vehicles equipped with modern safety technology—such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance—can help prevent or reduce the severity of crashes.[7] IIHS publishes annual recommendations for safe, affordable vehicles for teen drivers.[8]
Consider telematics programs.
Programs such as State Farm's Drive Safe & Save® and Steer Clear® can provide feedback on driving behaviors, encourage safer habits, and potentially lower insurance costs.
Keep the conversation going.
Driving safety shouldn't be a one-time lecture. Regular discussions about distractions, peer pressure, and responsible decision-making can help reinforce positive habits as teens gain experience.
The Bottom Line
Summer is an exciting time for teens, but it's also a time when crash risks increase dramatically. By understanding the dangers of distraction, speeding, and inexperience—and by staying actively involved in the learning-to-drive process—parents can help their teens build the skills and habits needed for a lifetime of safe driving.
Sources
[1] Federal Highway Administration. Highway Statistics 2024. U.S. Department of Transportation.
[2] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), 2024 data.
[3] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Teenagers Research Area.
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Teen Drivers.
[5] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Teen Driver Education Research.
[6] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Graduated Driver Licensing Laws.
[7] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
[8] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Safe Vehicles for Teens.
[9] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Teen Driving Safety.
