You should always stay alert and take care when driving, especially when you have only recently obtained your license. However, the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day require special caution because this is the period when most crashes involving teenage drivers happen.
Why is this period of summer so deadly for teens? Here are some reasons:
Your schedule is far more open
Summer means the end of school classes, and that means you can spend more time doing the things you want – and more time driving to the things you want to do. Or, you may be working a summer job, and that means a commute. More miles behind the wheel increase the risk of a crash.
You lack practical experience
Some things only come with practice. You may not yet have had your first experience with a tailgater or someone who brake-checks you. You may not automatically know how to slow your car appropriately on a sharp curve. Small things can lead to a serious accident when you aren’t an experienced driver.
You may fall victim to social pressure
If you are like most teens, you’ll face a fair bit of pressure from your peers over certain things. It can be harder to refrain from things you know you shouldn’t do, such as drinking a beer or smoking a joint before driving, or traveling over the limit, when you have others urging you on or insulting you when you try to say no. That does not mean it’s acceptable to bow to that pressure, but it’s important to know it’s there.
While these reasons explain why so many teenagers crash during summer, they won’t necessarily explain a crash that you have. It is important not to let your chances of compensation be harmed by others who assume the crash must have been your fault just because of your age. Drivers of all ages make mistakes that lead to crashes, so getting help to hold another driver responsible is often crucial.
