100 Deadly Days of Summer
Written by: Julie-Ann Claude
Middletown Substance Abuse Prevention Council’s Youth Peer Advocate
The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day ( known as the 100 days of summer) are a time of excitement for teens and young adults. School is out and young people have an increased amount of free time to be outside and have fun. Though this is a fun time for the youth, it is the most dangerous time of the year for young people. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is a sharp increase of fatal crashes involving teen drivers behind the wheel, thereby this time period being dubbed the 100 Deadliest Days.
60% of teen crashes are caused by distracted driving and the biggest distractions to drivers are passengers. With many young people filled with free time, they are bound to all hop in a car together to get to a shared destination. With other people in the car that are most likely conversating, laughing, and joking, teen drivers are certain to be distracted. To help avoid distracted driving amongst teens, it is best to limit passengers in their vehicles.
To help avoid fatal incidents, parents and teens should be extremely mindful of these Connecticut driving laws:
– Upon obtaining a driver’s license, teens are only allowed to drive alone or with a licensed adult over the age of 20.
– Only after 6 months of holding a license can teens drive with immediate family members
– Teens are only allowed to drive between the hours of 5 A.M. and 11 P.M. with some exceptions
– Teens are not allowed to use any device while driving, including hand-free use of phones and GPS services
For parents, it is also key to remember to serve as strong role models for their teens and display safe decision making; parents are their child’s biggest influence and teacher. Make sure to not drink and drive or to use a cellular device while operating a vehicle. Another thing our parents can remember is to have the conversations about clear boundaries and consequences if their teen is not being responsible behind the wheel. It is up to both teens and parents to take accountability of their decisions while driving and to make the choice to drive safely. Not abiding by these laws are typically what cause the most fatalities and crashes amongst teens and young adults. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. During these hundred days, it is best for teens and parents to stay mindful of these laws and the possible danger of being on the road. With the proper acknowledgement of these laws and proper practice of them, hopefully these 100 days will become less deadly.
For more information on Connecticut driving laws and safety, please go to Connecticut DMV and search, “Teen Drivers”
Works Cited
FitzGerald, Loughlin. “What are Connecticut’s laws for teenage drivers?” Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C., 5 April 2020, https://www.lflaw.com/what-are-connecticuts-laws-for-teenage-drivers/. Accessed 25 June 2024.
“100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” We Save Lives, https://wesavelives.org/100-deadliest-days-of-summer-3/. Accessed 25 June 2024.
“100 Deadly Days of Summer – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.” Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/safe-summer-travel/100-days-of-summer/. Accessed 25 June 2024.
Sheldon, Andrew. “The Summer of Safety Is Here – Your AAA Network.” Your AAA Network, https://magazine.northeast.aaa.com/daily/life/cars-trucks/100-deadliest-days/. Accessed 25 June 2024.