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The 100 Deadliest Days: Teen Driver Deaths Jump in Summer Months

Crash data reveals concerning seasonal patterns as teen driving deaths continue to climb

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (May 29, 2025) - As schools let out for summer break, speed limits around school zones are relaxed, and young drivers enjoy increased freedom a troubling trend emerges: a rise in traffic accidents. The time period spanning from Memorial Day to Labor Day is known as the ‘100 Deadliest Days,’ due to an increase in traffic accidents.

Nationwide, 13,135 people were killed in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019 and 2023. More than one third of those deaths occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days, according to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In California, an average of 61 people die each year in accidents involving a teen driver during this period, compared to an average of 137 deaths over the remaining 265 days.

Of the 2,897 people killed in teen-driver involved crashes in 2023, the latest year of complete nationwide data, a third (860) occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days. 

“Summer months are particularly dangerous as more young drivers hit the road during school breaks with many logging more unsupervised driving time than usual,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson, AAA Mountain West Group. “We encourage families to set clear expectations for driving privileges.”

AAA Shares Tips for Teens and Parents for Safer Summer Driving

  • Parents should model safe driving behavior. Lead by example and talk to teens about the importance of buckling up, obeying speed limits, and putting phones away. 
  • Explore AAA driver education resources. Summer is a great time for young drivers to enroll in a comprehensive driver education course to learn the rules of the road. AAA offers a variety of resources to help keep teen drivers safe on the road.
  • Use smartphone ‘Do Not Disturb’ features. New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety highlights the life-saving potential of smartphone-blocking technology. Parents should encourage teens to use ‘Do Not Disturb’ features on their phones to silence distractions while driving.

About the AAA Foundation

Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research informs the development of educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users.

About AAA Mountain West Group

AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.7 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.