The period known as the 100 deadliest days occurs between Memorial Day weekend in May and Labor Day in September. This is the summer break for most High School students, which puts more of them on the road. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and teens get into more accidents than any other group.

Nearly 260 teen drivers are killed in car crashes each month in the summer—an increase of 26% over other months. Most of the crashes are caused by distracted driving.

The perils of distracted driving

This is one of the easier behaviors to correct. If you are the parent of a teenage child, then you should warn them of the dangers of distracted driving.

Distracted driving comes in two general forms: texting and talking.

The current generation of teens has grown up in a world in which the smart phone predominates. Your teen is no doubt able to read and create text messages without much effort. In fact, they can probably engage in a number of activities while doing so. The ability to multi-task is admirable, but it is not something that should be done when operating a motor vehicle.

Operating a motor vehicle requires the full attention of the driver. Sudden and unexpected moves by other cars must be responded to quickly if calamity is to be avoided. Even the briefest moment of inattention can cause an accident in which someone is severely injured or killed. Your teen can avoid this by keeping their eyes on the road rather than in their phones.

Talking to other passengers is the other great distraction. Road trips to warm and sunny places are part of teen life. You want your teen to have the freedom to socialize and enjoy life with people their own age. However, it is also important that they act responsibly when behind the wheel. When driving with a group of friends, it is tempting to get involved in whatever conversation they may be having. You should advise your teen of the dangers of this kind of behavior and why it should be avoided.

When a lawyer is necessary

If your teen has been in an accident in which injuries or fatalities have occurred, you should retain the services of a lawyer. Whether your teen was the victim in such an accident or, according to others, responsible for it, you will need legal representation.