‘Deadliest days’ for teen drivers start in Washington state. How to keep kids safe
Many teenagers dream of getting their driver’s licenses.
Having access to a car gives teens the ability to go where they want, when they want — especially when schools are out for summer.
“Summer months are particularly dangerous as more young drivers hit the road during school breaks with many logging more unsupervised driving time than usual,” Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research, said a 2025 news release.
More than 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occurred during the “deadliest 100 days” between Memorial Day and Labor Day, AAA said, as well as nearly a third of all impaired-driving fatalities.
Why is this time period risky for younger, less experienced drivers? And how can kids stay safe on the road?
Here’s what to know in Washington state:
What are the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers?
According to AAA, 2,636 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in 2024, the most recent year of complete crash data available.
“A third of those deaths, 825, happened in the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day,” AAA said in a May 20 news release.
In contrast, crashes involving teen drivers killed 2,897 people in 2023, including 860 during the 100-day period between the two holidays, according to the automobile association’s review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Why is summer a dangerous time for young drivers?
According to the National Road Safety Foundation, a number of factors make summer a dangerous time for teen drivers, including the end of classes.
“School is out and teens are spending more time behind the wheel,” the nonprofit organization said.
Inexperience also plays a role.
The fatal crash rate per mile driven for drivers ages 16 to 19 is nearly triple the rate for those 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
“Immaturity leads to speeding and other risky habits, and inexperience means teen drivers often don’t recognize or know how to respond to hazards,” Rebecca Weast, a senior research scientist at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, wrote on the institute’s website.
Other risk factors include distracted driving and drunk driving, according to the National Road Safety Foundation.
How can teens stay safe on the road?
In recognition of the risks faced by teen drivers, AAA has launched its 100 Days of Safe Driving campaign in 2026.
“The ‘100 Days of Safe Driving’ campaign is about encouraging drivers to make simple choices behind the wheel that can help save lives,” Gene Boehm, president and CEO of AAA, said in the May 20 release. “By staying focused, slowing down, buckling up and planning ahead for a sober ride, every driver can help make our roads safer this summer.”
There are a few things teens and their parents can do to ensure road readiness, experts say.
For starters, wearing a seatbelt can save lives.
At least half of drivers and passengers ages 16 to 19 who were killed in passenger vehicle crashes in 2020 were not wearing seat belts at the time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Young drivers and their parents should be aware of the “leading causes of teen crashes and injuries,” the CDC said.
These include distracted, drowsy and reckless driving, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
What are safety tips for kids and parents?
The National Road Safety Foundation offers these tips for teen drivers:
- Follow the speed limit.
- Pay attention to all road signs and traffic signals.
- Don’t follow the car in front of you too closely.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel.
- Focus on the road by minimizing distractions.
The foundation’s advice for parents includes:
- Talk to your teen and make sure they understand the rules of the road.
- Model good driving behavior.
- Consider a defensive driving course.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "‘Deadliest days’ for teen drivers start in Washington state. How to keep kids safe."