Memorial Day Begins '100 Deadliest Days' For Teen Drivers

Memorial Weekend marked the start of what AAA calls the “100 Deadliest Days” on the road for teenage drives. The number of teen crashes increases by 17% between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

AAA said because Summer started earlier for teens due to the Pandemic, the association is already seeking an increase in teen car crashes. The association said it believes since teens have been cooped up at home since mid-March, they have more adrenaline when they finally get out and get behind the wheel.

“We are very afraid that those are indicators of a very difficult summer ahead if we don’t get ahead with our messages and our concerns with teens about this,” said Leslie Gamble with AAA.

The association said it has already seen an increase in dangerous and deadly teen car crashes here in Oklahoma.

“We have had unfortunately two major crashes in the past week her in the metro Oklahoma City area,” said Gamble. “We lost an 18-year-old in Shawnee. And then on Monday, the very next day, we had teens being rescued by a highway patroller for a rollover.”

Last year, AAA said it conducted a survey asking teens questions about their time on the road. Half of the teens questioned admitted to speeding in neighborhoods and 40% said they had been texting behind the wheel. AAA also said one in six teens involved in a fatal car crash will test positive for alcohol consumption.

AAA said it’s possible the state could see a higher number in teen crashes this summer if parents don’t get ahead of the issue and talk to their teens.