BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — According to a study from AAA, 222 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the "100 Deadliest Days" from 2008 to 2018 in New York state.
By contrast, the number of people killed during the remainder of the year from 2008-2018 was 382.
The number killed in crashes during the "100 Deadliest Days" is 70 percent higher than that of the rest of the year.
AAA says over that ten-year span, 8,300 people were killed nationwide.
According to the new AAA Foundation Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72 percent of teen drivers aged 16-18 admitted to having engaged in at least one of the following risky behaviors in the past 30 days
- Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street (47 percent)
- Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40 percent)
- Texting (35 percent)
- Red-light running (32 percent)
- Aggressive driving (31 percent)
- Drowsy driving (25 percent)
- Driving without a seatbelt (17 percent)
“Parents remain the best line of defense to keep everyone safe behind the wheel,” said Jennifer Ryan, AAA’s Director of State Relations. “It’s never too soon to educate teens on the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, and the impairing effects of alcohol and marijuana. But actions speak louder than words. Remember to model good behavior because your teen won’t take your advice seriously if you don’t follow it yourself.
To keep roads safe this summer, AAA encourages parents to
- Talk with teens early and often about abstaining from dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment and distracted driving.
- Teach by example and minimize risky behavior when driving.
- Establish a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.
- Conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving with their teen.
