Teen Drivers are Especially at Risk in the Summer

Teenagers driving during the summer in Wisconsin
Teen Drivers are Especially at Risk in the Summer
Teenagers driving during the summer in Wisconsin

There are many risks when you get behind the wheel in Wisconsin, and it's important to note that one of the biggest risks is the presence of teen drivers. Reports show that they crash far more often in the summer than they do in the other three seasons. Around 800 of them pass away every year, and that's not even counting all of the non-fatal accidents.

So, why does this happen? The biggest reason is just that the teens don't have anything to do. They are not in school, so they're out and about more often. They log more hours behind the wheel. For any age demographic, the amount of accidents would go up if driving time was increased. With the school schedule, teens are one of the only groups that really sees such an increase in the summer.

Of course, this is a general reason. Teens still crash due to inexperience, distractions, reckless driving and even driving under the influence. However, these things just become more dangerous to other drivers in the summer since teens are free to do them more often.

Another reason could be the rise in nighttime driving. Even teens who drive every day during the school year are often at home in the evenings, doing homework and getting ready for school. Some of them have curfews. In the summer, teens are more likely to be out late if they can sleep in. This can lead to driver fatigue and higher crash totals.

The summer is drawing to a close, but the danger on the roads is still very real, and drivers who have been injured should know their rights.

Source: SafeBee, "Parents, Beware: Come Summer, Teen Driving Is Risky Business," Jennifer Kelly Geddes, accessed Aug. 10, 2015