AAA Reveals Key Deadly Behaviors for Teen Drivers

You might be one of the many parents who will have a teen driving for the first time this summer, but Triple -A is reporting the number of teen drivers killed in crashes over the summer months is rising.

According to Triple-A, new crash data from 2013-2017 reveals three major factors contributing to fatal teen crashes during the summer driving period – speeding, drinking and driving, and distracted driving.

On average almost 700 people die each year in crashes involving teenage drivers, according the Triple-A Foundation for Traffic Safety.

And more than half of teen drivers (52 percent) in the AAA Foundation’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index report reading a text message or email while driving in the past 30 days and nearly 40 percent report sending a text or email.

“Crash data shows that teens are a vulnerable driver group with a higher probability of being involved in crashes,” said Dr. David Yang, Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “And while teens may make mistakes when first learning to drive, it is important to continue educating them about safety behind the wheel so they avoid the reckless behaviors that put themselves and others at risk on the road.”

To keep roads safer 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.
• Make a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules for teen drivers.

AAA also offers a special Website in Georgia that specifically addresses teen driving and how parents can help keep their teenagers safe behind the wheel, like enrolling them in a AAA-approved Teen Driving Safety course.

Additionally, TeenDrivingAAA has a variety of tools to help prepare parents and teens for the dangerous summer driving season.

The online AAA StartSmart program also offers great resources for parents on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage their teen’s overall driving privileges.

AAA also offers a mobile app that allows parents to monitor their teen’s driving habits.  AAADrive™ is a free feature within the AAA Mobile app that allows parents who are members of AAA to set limits for their teen such as when they can drive, where they can drive and how fast they can drive.

You can download the app by texting MOBILEAPP to 99513.