The Connecticut roads can be dangerous for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists year-round. However, there are times of the year when there are higher risks for a crash. The summer is one such time. There are many reasons for this including the simple fact that there are more people on the road as they travel to events, vacations and for daytrips. Another factor that needs to be considered when taking to the roads is the number of teen drivers.
Experience is a great teacher and a fundamental problem with younger drivers is that they do not have the road time to know how to be as safe as possible. Every year, AAA gives advice to parents and teens for summer driving and avoiding accidents. Unfortunately, many either ignore this advice or do not believe an accident will happen to them.
When there is an auto accident – regardless of who is involved and how it happened – those who were hurt or lost a loved one must know what they will face and the available options to make a full physical, emotional and financial recovery.
The “100 Deadliest Days” are here
The so-called “100 Deadliest Days” span from Memorial Day to Labor Day. AAA’s name for the summer driving season signifies the increased possibility of an auto accident involving a teen driver. It is a national problem and Connecticut is not immune to it. The statistics show why concern is so high.
In Connecticut, the most recent comprehensive statistics are from 2020 to 2023. During that time, almost four in 10 fatal accidents involved a driver who was between the ages of 15 and 19. Overall, there were 106 such fatal collisions. The Connecticut Department of Transportation says that during that time, 23 teens lost their lives within the 100 days.
Across the nation during that time frame, there are almost 7,200 teen fatalities in an auto accident. Almost one in three happened in the 100 days. The worrisome aspect of these numbers is the substantial spike in teen fatalities as it rose by 35% in 2023 when compared to 2019.
Although some accidents cannot be avoided regardless of the steps people take to prevent them, teens are vulnerable to specific behaviors that are often precursors to a crash. That includes texting and driving, recklessness, driving under the influence, and speeding.
That lack of experience and youthful exuberance leads to mistakes that cause tragic accidents. They believe they can multitask or that accidents are not going to happen to them. Advanced safety in vehicles contributes to that sense of invulnerability. Not understanding that speeding enhances the chance of a severe crash is also a challenge teen drivers need to accept. Other catalysts are more understated such as several teens being in the vehicle at the time.
Summer auto accidents can have severe consequences
People need to be vigilant when taking to the roads regardless of the time of year. But these numbers show how much worse the roads can be during the summer. Much of that is believed to be due to teen drivers.
The overall numbers say that speeding, recklessness and intoxication are major contributors to motor vehicle accidents. An estimated 60% are because of speeding and reckless driving. Nearly 40% are because of drunk driving. The aftermath of an accident causes physical problems that need extensive treatment. Medical costs, lost time on the job, the inability to take part in family activities and other issues are common.
It is vital to gather evidence as to why the accident occurred. This can be a critical part of pursuing compensation for all that was lost whether there were injuries or a fatality. To ensure all the necessary steps are taken, people who were in a crash should have qualified assistance as soon as possible.