Warm weather and the Fourth of July Weekend contribute to making July the deadliest month of the year in terms of traffic fatalities. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration motor vehicle accident numbers from 2005 to 2011 show that more fatalities occur in July than in any other month. The data shows that July, August and September combine to form the deadliest time of year in terms of total car accident fatalities. A study by Driving-Tests.org compiled the NHTSA data to demonstrate that summer months are a dangerous time to be on the roads, particularly for teen drivers.
The NHTSA reports that 35 percent of deaths among people between the ages of 15 and 20 are the result of motor vehicle accidents. That makes it the number one killer for people in that age group. According to the American Automobile Association, teen driving rises significantly during the summer months because teens are out of school and are generally less heavily supervised than during the school year.
While drinking and driving is an alarming problem among teen drivers, the study showed that the vast majority of fatal teen driving accidents are the result of errors such as driving too fast, driving while distracted, errors in recognizing right of way and lack of scanning to identify hazards. Teens often lack the basic driving skill to manage difficult situations and recognize dangerous driving conditions.
The study was conducted in support of a new campaign by Driving-Tests.org called “Be Safer and Drive Smarter.” The program is meant to encourage parents to take a stronger role in ensuring that their teens engage in safe driving.
Source: News Inferno, “July the Most Dangerous Month for Teen Drivers,” by F.A. Kelley, 10 July 2013
