With the Memorial Day weekend just past us, drivers across the nation need to be mindful of extended driving dangers as the summer months begin. In a 2019 article by AAA, Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers.
In a study of car accident data from 2013-2017, approximately 3,500 people had been killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the period of Memorial Day to Labor Day. Historically, we know these summer months to be of particular danger as reckless behaviors such as drunk driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, etc., are on the rise.
While these dangerous habits occur year-round, there are a variety of reasons why warmer weather makes auto accidents more likely.
Schools Out: Teen Drivers Are, Too
Though the school year is wrapping up a bit differently this year due to COVID-19, in general, as the schools let out for the summer, more teen and inexperienced drivers are on the roads with great frequency.
Most commonly, teens will get their driver’s licenses between the ages of 16 and 18. Across the nation, drivers ed courses are no longer being offered at schools and many parents are not sending their young drivers to driving school on weekends.
According to DriversEd, “32 states require teens to take drivers ed before they can sit in for the written and driving exam to get their driver’s license.” In Pennsylvania, teens under 18 years old who hold a permit must complete 65 hours of adult-supervised skill-building before they can take their driver’s test.
And with this minimal training required, these teen drivers may not have the experience of defensive driving needed during these chaotic summer travel months.
Motorcycles, Bicycles, Pedestrians – Memorial Day Weekend
Not only are there more drivers on the road in the summer, but there are also more people out and about. From an increased number of motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, new drivers must be mindful of sharing the road with all who take it.
In a study by the Motorcycle Legal Foundation, in 2016, there were 84 fatalities during a 3-day time frame for the Memorial Day weekend and 95 fatalities during a 4-day time frame for the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Vehicle Malfunction
We spend a lot of time talking about drivers’ responsibilities on the road to avoid causing collisions and other accidents. However, it’s not always the driver to blame as vehicle malfunctions may occur.
Because of the increased temperatures across the United States in the summer months, vehicle malfunctions are more likely to occur as the heat can cause negative effects on automobiles.
From tire blowouts to engines overheating and other equipment malfunctions, an inexperienced driver may not know how to safely navigate the situation, causing complications for other drivers, too.
Construction Crews – Work Being Done After Memorial Day Weekend
We in NEPA are very familiar with PennDOT crews along crowded highways handling construction projects on bridges, exits, and interstates during the warmer weather. Under the PennDOT Work Zone Safety rules, drivers entering a construction zone must:
- Turn headlights on when instructed to do so via signage
- Follow work zone speed limits
- Use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly
- Obey flaggers instructions
These work zones can often become congested with drivers and can turn very tense. For drivers who are not experienced or do not know how to handle other aggressive drivers, these work areas become breeding grounds for car accidents.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli is the Car Accident Law Firm You Need
With the start of the 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers upon us, it is important to know who is here to protect your rights if you are involved in a car accident. The Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton car accident lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli have the experience and the track record you need on your side if you are involved in a car accident this summer.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Philadelphia, Northeast Pennsylvania, or anywhere in the Keystone State, don’t delay. The lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli fight for the injured. Contact us today for a free consultation.
