The summer months have long been deadly for teenage drivers on the nation’s roadways. Traffic statistics show that on the Fourth of July, more younger drivers are killed than any other day of the year.
AAA compiled National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data for 2006 to 2010 and identified the holiday as the deadliest day for 16- and 17-year-olds.
More teenagers are behind the wheel during the summer, and AAA warns they typically have less parental supervision than during the school year. AAA reports an average of 399 teens are killed in traffic crashes during each month from May through August, compared to an average of 346 deaths the remainder of the year. After July Fourth, the following days were shown to be the most deadly: June 10, May 20, Aug. 14 and Sept. 26.
While total traffic fatalities reached a record low in 2010, more recent data signals teenage deaths aren’t slowing down. A Governors Highway Safety Association report found an uptick in 16- and 17-year-old deaths in the first six months of 2011, with an 11 percent increase compared to the same period in 2010.
It’s too early to say if this indicates an upward trend in traffic fatalities for younger drivers, which account for the top cause of death among U.S. teenagers.
Governing compiled 2010 NHTSA data measuring the number of 16- and 17-year-old drivers killed each month. Select a state below to view its monthly totals:
By the Numbers is dedicated to telling important stories through numbers, with a focus on our original work, data visualization and providing an ongoing tally of editor's picks of new and notable data releases.
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