Memorial Day marks the period known as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers,” a time when there is an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers.

“The risk gets higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With the end of the school year upon us, these young, inexperienced drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

Nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during the 100 Deadliest Days, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A total of nearly 6,700 people were killed during the period that runs through Labor Day between 2013-2022.

In 2022 alone, 707 people were killed in these types of crashes – a 10 percent increase over pre-pandemic 2019.

An average of 2,146 teens are involved in deadly crashes each year. Of those, 670 (31 percent) occur during the 100 Deadliest Days, adding 744 fatalities.

“The important thing to realize is the people killed in these crashes are not always the teen driver, but it can be their passengers or anyone else they encounter on the road,” Woodland continued. “AAA shares this information to remind all drivers to stay alert while behind the wheel this summer. We also encourage parents to have a serious discussion with their teen about the importance of being a safe driver.”

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 16-19.

For every mile driven, new teen drivers (ages 16-17) are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults, according to AAA.