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| School’s out: Summertime safety tips |
As temperatures rise and school is out for the summer, keep an eye out for more teen drivers on the road. You will be sharing the streets with a wide range of drivers, from those who just got their license to college students commuting to summer jobs. It’s always important to be a conscious and attentive driver, but summer has its own unique hazards.
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| • Keep an eye out for pedestrians, especially those walking with small children or pets, who can be less predictable. |
| • Watch for bicyclists and motorcyclists. Remember to share the road and always be aware of your surroundings before switching lanes or merging. |
| • Summer is a great time to run errands, but make sure you double check your back seat for sleeping children and pets so they aren’t left in a hot car. |
| • Keep bottled water in your car to prevent dehydration in case you get stuck in traffic. |
| • As always, keep distractions to a minimum. Even though summer can be a great time to roll the windows down and jam out to your favorite radio station, don’t forget that driving safely should always come first! |
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| • Regular maintenance such as oil changes and battery checks can go a long way toward preventing breakdowns during the summer months. |
| • Even though school is no longer in session, continue to slow down in school zones as there may be summer classes or camps going on and children could still be present. |
| • There is more road construction during the summer months. Keep an eye out for narrow and reduced lanes as well as barricades and traffic congestion. |
| • Pay extra attention at night as there will be more pedestrians and drivers out later during the summer hours. |
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| • Teen drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 are almost four times more likely to be in a car crash than drivers of any other age groups. |
| • More crashes happen in July than any other month and summer is the season with the most fatal auto accidents. In 2011, the months of June, July and August made up 29% of all deadly car crashes, followed by fall with 25%. |
| • In 2012, the number of teens killed in traffic crashes increased almost 20% during June and July. 1,875 of those fatalities were young drivers with alcohol in their system. |
| • Distracted driving such as talking on a cell phone or looking away from the road to change a radio station can double a driver’s reaction time. |
| • Teens spend approximately 44% more time driving during the summer than they do during the school year. |
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| For more information: |
| Summer Driving Tips from SaferCar.gov |
| Car Accidents in the Summer |
| Teen Car Accidents Pictures, Statistics & Stories |
| National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System Encyclopedia |
| Keeping Teen Drivers Safe at the Wheel |
| New Study Says Texting Doubles a Driver’s Reaction Time |
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