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Memorial Day starts ‘100 Deadliest Days’ when fatal accidents rise for teens

Posted 27 May 2025 at 7:39 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: During a simulation showing the dangers of drunk driving on May 16, 2024 outside Kendall Junior/Senior High School, Monroe Ambulance medics have Jimmie Swift on a stretcher. He was one of three students taken away by ambulance as part of the simulation. Gracie Robb and Lucas Jones also portrayed injured students who needed ambulance transport. The simulation was done the day before the prom.

Press Release, AAA

The “100 Deadliest Days” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically.

Across the country, 13,135 people have been killed in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019-2023. Over 30 percent of those deaths occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to AAA’s review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2023 alone, the most recent year of complete crash data, 2,897 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver. A third of those deaths, 860, happened during the 100 Deadliest Days, a 21 percent increase from 2022.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing a disturbing trend,” said Marke Dickinson, AAA Western and Central New York President and CEO. “On average, eight people are killed per day in teen driving crashes in the summer, compared to seven per day during the rest of the year.”

New York State Police report a 13 percent increase in motor vehicle fatalities during the 100 Deadliest Days from 2023 to 2024.

“Teen drivers don’t have much experience, and they take chances,” said NYSP Troop A Public Information Officer James O’Callaghan. “I have a 16-year-old at home. I’m speaking to you as a parent, develop those good habits. We all strive to set our kids up for success, it should be no different behind the wheel.”

Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashes. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72% of teen drivers aged 16-18 admitted to having engaged in at least one of the following risky behaviors:

  • Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street (47%)
  • Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40%)
  • Texting (35%)
  • Red-light running (32%)
  • Aggressive driving (31%)
  • Drowsy driving (25%)
  • Driving without a seatbelt (17%)

AAA encourages parents to:

  • Talk with teens early and often about avoiding dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment, and distracted driving. Serve as a role model for safe behavior.
  • Always buckle up, and follow posted speed limits.
  • Teach by example, minimize risky behavior; conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving with their teen.
  • Make a parent-teen driving agreement setting family rules for driving.