Written By: Salvatore Shaw, Partner, and Diya Parikh, Articling Student
5 Minute Read
Summer usually means more freedom for young drivers. School is out, plans are less structured, and teens are more likely to be driving to work, cottages, beaches, concerts, parties and other social events. But more time behind the wheel can also mean more exposure to risk.
In the United States, the period between Memorial Day and Labour Day has become known as the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers because of the historically higher number of fatal crashes involving young drivers during those summer months. Young drivers are often driving more frequently, later at night, with friends in the car and in situations where inexperience can make a difference.
What are the “100 Deadliest Days”?
The “100 Deadliest Days” is a road safety campaign that has been promoted or referenced by organizations including the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the National Safety Council. The campaign is meant to bring attention to the increased risk of serious and fatal collisions involving teen drivers during the summer.
Data has historically shown a higher concentration of fatal crashes involving teen drivers during this period. This is due to driver inexperience, speeding, distraction, passengers, nighttime driving and impairment.
During the summer, several of these risks can overlap. A newer driver may be travelling farther from home, driving on unfamiliar roads, staying out later and carrying friends, all while having much less experience to draw on when something unexpected happens.
Why Summer Can Be More Dangerous for Young Drivers
Young drivers tend to have more opportunities to be on the road during the summer. Without the structure of school, there may be more driving for work, social plans and recreation. Longer days can lead to more time outside and summer events can also mean driving later into the evening or early morning. The concern is not just that young people are driving more but that they may also be driving in situations that require better judgment and quicker reactions.
A new driver may know the rules of the road but still not have the same ability as an experienced driver to anticipate what is about to happen. Someone who has been driving for years may notice traffic slowing several cars ahead, a vehicle drifting within its lane or changing weather conditions before they become an immediate problem. A newer driver may not recognize those warning signs as early. If speed is added to the mix, there is even less time to react when there’s unexpected lane changes or a pedestrian or cyclist enters the roadway.
Having friends in the car creates significant distraction. Driving with people may seem harmless, but conversations, music and activity inside the vehicle can easily pull a young driver’s attention away from the road. Ontario’s G2 licence requirements specifically recognize this issue. Drivers who hold a G2 licence and are 19 years old or younger are subject to restrictions on the number of passengers aged 19 or younger they can carry between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Those restrictions are especially relevant in the summer when young drivers may be more likely to be out late with friends. Keep in mind that the risk of a fatal car crash for a teen driver increases directly with the number of teenage passengers in the car. Compared to driving alone, the fatal crash risk doubles with one teen passenger, triples with two, and quadruples or more when carrying three or more teen peers.
Phones are another major source of distraction. Looking down to read a notification, check directions or change a song may only take a few seconds but a lot can happen in that time. Ontario’s distracted driving laws prohibit the use of hand-held communication and entertainment devices while driving. For a newer driver, those few seconds of distraction can be especially dangerous. Remind your teen that phones and texts can wait.
Alcohol and drug impairment are also important concerns particularly when young drivers are travelling to and from parties, concerts and other summer events. Ontario has stricter alcohol rules for young and novice drivers. Under Ontario’s impaired driving laws, drivers aged 21 and under must have a zero blood-alcohol level while driving. The same zero-tolerance rule applies to novice drivers with a G1 or G2 licence. Letting your teen know that you will pick them up, with no questions asked, in the event they or the person they are driving with are not sober to drive.
For parents and caregivers, summer driving safety should involve more than simply telling a young driver to “be careful.” It can mean continuing to remind their children about passengers, phone use, speeding, seatbelts and alcohol or cannabis even after a teen has received their full licence. It can also mean giving young drivers more opportunities to practice in different conditions. Passing a road test does not mean a new driver is prepared for every situation they may encounter on the road. A lot of good judgment behind the wheel comes with time and experience and reminders from parents about the dangers of driving and good driving habits.
