Williamsville, N.Y. (WBEN) - While Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year nationwide, it also marks the beginning of the "100 Deadliest Days" for teen drivers.
"That's the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when AAA realized that this fatality traffic data is on the rise. AAA researchers took a look at these numbers and said, 'Wait a minute, this is really - and coined the phrase - the 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers, Memorial Day to Labor Day, when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically.' We want to try and make a difference and keep everyone safe," said Elizabeth Carey from AAA of Western and Central New York.
According to a review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by AAA, from 2019-23, a total of 13,135 people have been killed in a crash involving a teen driver across the country, with more than 30% of those deaths occurring during the 100 Deadliest Days.
In 2023 alone, the most recent year of complete crash data, 2,897 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver. A third of those deaths, 860, happened during the 100 Deadliest Days, a 21% increase from 2022.
"Many of these tragedies could be prevented," said Marke Dickinson, president and CEO of AAA of Western and Central New York. "One life is too many to lose in crashes that, too often, could be avoided by slowing down, paying attention and buckling up. Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at higher risk of crashes. Add in the new found freedom of summer, prom, graduation and other activities, the risk of a deadly crash increases dramatically."
Just from 2023-24, New York State Police reports a 13% increase in motor vehicle fatalities during the 100 Deadliest Days. Not only that, but a 3% increase on distracted driving and, even more so, is a 37% increase in DWI arrests from 2023-24 when it comes to the 100 Deadliest Days.
New York State Trooper James O'Callaghan says teen drivers don’t have much experience on the roadways, and are more likely to take chances.
"I have a 16-year-old at home. I’m speaking to you as a parent, develop those good habits. We all strive to set our kids up for success, it should be no different behind the wheel," said O'Callaghan.
"You're 23 times more likely to get into a collision if you're driving distracted. Most teens, 70% of teens, feel confident that they can drive distracted while operating that vehicle. That shouldn't be. So parents, they're going to drive your car someday with your insurance and your car keys. So build those good habits early, so they can continue on. And when you give them the keys to your car, you feel confident they can drive your car safely, and that they're going to come home at the end of the day from their venture."
O'Callaghan is alarmed at the number of teens that feel confident they can drive distracted, especially when drivers are sharing the roadways with others walking, running or riding their bikes and ebikes. That's why he reminds young drivers if you are caught or suspected of driving while distracted, the penalties can be steep.
"You're going to get a ticket. What does the ticket mean? It means about $500 by the time you're done with surcharges, and five points. It's our highest point ticket that you can almost get, outside of doing 30 miles an hour over the speed limit. The points are there, the fines are there," O'Callaghan noted. "The problem is you could take someone's life. So if you're driving distracted, and we will subpoena that stuff if we have a fatality collision or serious physical injury collision, and we believe at that point that you may be driving distracted, your network will get a subpoena, we will hold those records, and you're looking at vehicular manslaughter. It doesn't matter how old you are, you're looking at about 10 years. We don't want that to come to that, but we will have to do what we have to do, because at the end of the day, justice has to be set for the people who lost a loved one."
Erie County Sheriff's Lt. Jeremy Lehning is asking drivers to drive the speed limit and drive distraction free. He's also asking drivers to obey the rules of the road, especially the Move Over Law that has become a big point of emphasis in New York State.
"The Move Over Law is one of the most important laws that we've set into motion, and protects all first responders, construction workers, tow truck drivers and any personnel working along the highways. It is extremely important," said Lt. Lehning. "This law, in particular, hits home for me. Approximately six years ago, I was on a traffic stop on Route 400 at Transit Road. I was struck by a driver as I returned to my patrol unit. That driver failed to slow down, that driver failed to move over. So the outcome of that accident, had I not reached my patrol unit and gotten inside, would have been drastically different."
Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns says his office has also stressed the notion of parents talking to their kids as they get ready to start driving as a young adult. The Clerk's Office, once again, is also providing a safe driving pledge for kids across the region.
"We go out to the schools and we ask them to do the things that many of our law enforcement officials talk about. I will not send or receive a text message, tweet, speak on a cell phone. Obviously, I will wear a seat belt. I will be a good passenger, that's something that we really stress to many of the students. And obviously, once again, we don't want people driving under the influence of both alcohol or drugs, which is really, really bad," said Kearns.
Meanwhile, AAA is also doing its part to ensure that young drivers that go through their programs are not getting distracted behind the wheel.
"Here at AAA, our driving instructors urge teen drivers to store phones out of reach, obey speed limits and stay away from impairing substances such as alcohol and marijuana," said Mike Formanowicz, manager of driver training at AAA Western and Central New York. "AAA's message to parents: Talk with your teens early and often about safe driving. More importantly, serve as a role model for safe behavior. Putting that phone down when you're behind the wheel is a great example. Buckling up and following posted speed limits is the next step. Then consider setting up a family driving agreement with clear rules about driving."