With summer fast approaching, New York traffic is seeing a dramatic increase in activity on city streets, highways and neighborhood roads. From young drivers now out of school to the sharp rise of both motorcycle and bicycle traffic, roads often become crowded at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, this increase in traffic also leads to an increase in collisions.
Safety experts often refer to the upcoming time as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” Lasting from May 15th to August 15th, the 100 Days encompasses most of the summer months and represents a dramatic change in numerous teen traffic collision statistics. For example:
- On average, 260 teens are killed in motor vehicle collisions each month during the summer. This represents an increase of 26% over the average of non-summer months throughout the year.
- According to a AAA survey, speeding is a factor in nearly 30% of motor vehicle collision deaths involving teen drivers over the summer. Whether they feel they have the experience to overcome unsafe driving habits or get caught up attempting to impress peers, driving over the posted speed limit can quickly lead to a loss of control.
Unfortunately, distracted driving causes a significant portion of these collisions. Young drivers often feel they can safely navigate traffic while multitasking behind the wheel. Things like phone conversations, picking music or fiddling with the car’s stereo system or eating and drinking, any activity that pulls a driver’s focus from the road can result in a deadly collision. Distracted drivers, regardless of experience, can drift into oncoming lanes, miss stopped traffic or fail to recognize warning signs.
Motor vehicle collisions can lead to devastating injuries from brain damage to paralysis. Unfortunately, serious collisions often result in the death of a vehicle occupant.