BOISE – It’s the “100 Deadliest Days,” the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers spikes each year.
According to AAA, 7,124 people died in teen-driver related crashes nationwide from 2011 to 2020. Nearly half of the total number of deaths occurred during the summertime, and in 2020 alone, 850 people were killed in these types of crashes – a 20% increase from the previous year.
“The 100 Deadliest Days are bad news in Idaho, too. 40% of those who lose their lives in teen-driver crashes do so during the summer driving season,” says AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde. “It’s time to get back to basics – please slow down, stay focused, and buckle up.”
Here’s a comparison of the number of people killed in teen-driver related crashes in Idaho during the 100 Deadliest Days with the rest of the year:
In 2020, the Gem State ranked 6th in the nation for most deaths in teen driver crashes per 1 million population (at 14.1), trailing Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Arkansas, and South Carolina.
“Parents need to make sure that their teen drivers get quality instruction and plenty of experience behind the wheel, but they also need to set a good example,” Conde said. “A ‘do as I say, not as I do’ approach teaches your child that becoming a seasoned driver offers the privilege of engaging in risky behavior. That belief can have tragic consequences.”