AAA: Teen Driver Safety a Priority During “100 Deadliest Days”

When summer hits, teens get to be out on the road more often, and this can lead to more crashes, especially fatal ones. This is why the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is sometimes called the “100 deadliest days” by road safety experts. Teen drivers in New Jersey should know what sort of unsafe actions to avoid during this period and, of course, throughout the rest of the year.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed drivers aged 16 to 18 as part of its Traffic Culture Safety Index and found that 72% of the group engaged in some form of negligent driving on a regular basis. The examples ranged from speeding in residential areas, which 47% admitted to doing, to texting behind the wheel, which 35% said is a habit with them. Others include speeding on the freeway (40%), running red lights (32%) and driving drowsy (25%).

The fact is that 16- and 17-year-old drivers are three times more likely to be in a deadly crash than adults are. During the “100 deadliest days” from 2008 to 2018, there were more than 8,300 fatalities stemming from accidents with teen drivers. Each year before summer approaches, then, parents could consider coaching their teens on safe driving, making sure to set themselves up as a good example.

In a typical auto accident, victims file a claim with their own insurance company, New Jersey being a no-fault state. However, there are times when the damages exceed what the insurer can pay out. A third-party insurance claim, if successful, could cover those damages, both economic and non-economic, so victims may want to speak with a lawyer about this step. If it’s possible, then the lawyer may take on the filing process, even litigating if a settlement cannot be achieved.