Car crashes involving teen drivers that result in deaths go up in the summer. AAA calls this time, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the “100 Deadliest Days.” Learning to drive safely is important for young drivers during this period, according to Triple-A.

From 2019 to 2023, 13,135 people died in crashes involving a teen driver across the country. More than 30% of these deaths happened during the 100 deadliest days, according to an AAA study of crash information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On average, 8 people die each day in crashes with teen drivers in the summer, compared to 7 people per day the rest of the year.

As summer starts, AAA reminds parents that training new drivers is important. In Ohio, students need to complete eight hours of driving practice with an instructor to get a valid driver’s license. AAA’s driver education program for teens, ages 15½ to 18, offers four two-hour driving lessons with a certified instructor and a car from AAA.

Matt Philips, who directs automotive services operations for AAA East Central, said, “Teaching new teen drivers helps them learn how to drive and handle different situations safely. Our goal is to help these new drivers avoid common mistakes that can lead to crashes.”

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also has research about technology that can block smartphones. Parents can tell their teens to use “do not disturb” features on their phones to avoid distractions while driving. Earlier research from the Foundation showed that new teen drivers, ages 16-17, are three times more likely than adults to be in a crash that causes a death.

Speeding and driving at night are important reasons for crashes and deaths during the 100 Deadliest Days.