Driving Behaviors That Contribute to the 'Deadliest Days' for Teens

Distracted teenager driving a car with his cell phone in his hand. The light from the screen of the phone is illuminating his face.

How distraction, speeding, and peer pressure lead to summer teen crashes

Every Memorial Day, millions of Americans pack their bags, load up their cars, and hit the road. It’s the unofficial start of summer; a time for vacations, scenic drives, barbecues, and long weekends. But while we welcome this time, traffic safety experts sound a different kind of alarm.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of something much more serious: the 100 Deadliest Days. This period, stretching from Memorial Day to Labor Day, consistently sees a spike in fatal crashes. It’s not just a national trend; it’s a deadly reality in Nevada and beyond.

What makes summer driving so dangerous?

During the summer months, more drivers take to the roads. Teens are out of school, families are vacationing, and motorcyclists are drawn to long, sunny rides. Traffic is heavier, and people are often driving longer distances. That combination alone creates more opportunity for collisions. But it’s not just the volume. It's the behavior.

Speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving all rise during this time. People let their guard down. Maybe it’s the vacation mindset, or just the warm weather, but the numbers don’t lie. Through April, Nevada had already recorded 133 traffic deaths, with 96 in Clark County alone. While that’s a slight decrease from last year, the danger remains.

As Anita Pepper of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety put it, "The risk extends beyond drivers to include other vulnerable roadway users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists, and roadway workers."

Why are teen drivers especially at risk?

Teen drivers face a dangerous mix of inexperience, distraction, and overconfidence. When school lets out, teens have more free time and more access to cars. They’re going to parties, picking up friends, and driving at night, all of which increase their risk of being in a crash. Vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States.

In Nevada, the numbers are just as alarming. Between 2018 and 2022, 30 percent of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in a crash had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, even though they weren’t even old enough to drink legally.

The leading causes of crashes involving teens include:

Distracted driving: Texting or using a smartphone is one of the most dangerous distractions for teen drivers, often taking their eyes and hands off the task of driving. Other common distractions include eating, talking to passengers, adjusting music or GPS settings, and grooming while driving.
Speeding and unsafe driving for conditions: Teens often underestimate the danger of speeding or overestimate their ability to stay in control at higher speeds. Many teens drive too fast for road conditions, such as during rain, darkness, or on curves.
Driving under the influence: Despite being under the legal drinking age, some teens still drive after consuming alcohol or using drugs. Even small amounts of alcohol or marijuana can impair coordination, judgment, and reaction time behind the wheel.
Seatbelt nonuse: Teen drivers have the lowest seatbelt use rate of any age group, which puts them at a higher risk of being involved in crashes. Many fatal teen crashes involve drivers or passengers who weren’t wearing seat belts at the time of impact.
Nighttime driving and fatigue: Driving at night is more dangerous for everyone, but especially for teens, due to reduced visibility and a higher chance of encountering impaired drivers. Teen crash rates increase significantly between 9 p.m. and midnight, especially on weekends and during the summer months.
Inexperience and poor judgment: Even without engaging in risky behaviors, teen drivers often lack the necessary experience to handle emergencies, react quickly, and interpret traffic patterns effectively. Teens are more likely to make critical driving errors, such as misjudging the speed of oncoming vehicles or failing to yield at intersections.

How can parents help keep teens safe?

Your teen has been watching how you drive for years, long before they ever got behind the wheel. If you speed, roll through stop signs, use your phone, or skip wearing a seatbelt, they’re likely to copy those habits, good or bad. Having ongoing, honest conversations about driving is also important. Don’t limit the “driving talk” to one big lecture. Make safety a regular topic, before they leave the house, after a trip, or when you hear about a crash in the news.

You should also set clear rules and stick to them. Talk about curfews, passenger limits, phone use, and driving in bad weather. Then hold your teen accountable. Follow-through matters. Consistent rules create consistent habits.

Additionally, consider signing a parent-teen driving agreement. Putting expectations in writing makes them more concrete and tangible. Encourage or require defensive driving courses. These programs go beyond basic driving skills and teach teens how to handle real-world hazards, avoid collisions, and make better decisions. Some schools or insurance companies even offer discounts or incentives.

When the teen driver isn’t at fault

Not every crash involving a teenager is the result of reckless behavior. In many cases, teen drivers — or teen passengers — are the victims of someone else’s negligence. Whether it’s an adult driver running a red light, a speeding delivery van, or someone texting behind the wheel, teen victims often suffer some of the most serious injuries.

Unfortunately, insurance companies may still try to shift blame onto the teen, even when the evidence says otherwise. They may argue that inexperience played a role or pressure families into accepting a low settlement. That’s why it’s so important to have a car accident attorney who knows how to push back.

At Lasso Injury Law, we stand up for injured teens and their families in Las Vegas. We’ll investigate the crash, collect witness statements and evidence, and challenge any unfair blame. If your teen was hurt through no fault of their own, we’re here to demand accountability and fight for what they deserve.

Injured in a crash involving a teen driver? Lasso Injury Law can help

If you were hurt in a crash involving a teen driver, or if your teenage son or daughter was injured, Lasso Injury Law is here to help you through the legal process. Car accidents involving young drivers can become complicated quickly. That's where Al Lasso and his legal team can step in, protect your rights, and work to get the full compensation you deserve.

We know how insurance companies operate, and we don’t back down from a fight. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation, gather the evidence needed to prove fault, and build a strong case that insurance companies can’t ignore. If your teen was injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’ll demand accountability. And if you were hit by an inexperienced or reckless teen driver, we’ll push to recover every dollar you’re owed.

We proudly serve clients in Las Vegas and throughout Southern Nevada. If you’re unsure about what to do next, contact us online or call to schedule a free consultation. Attorney Al Lasso can meet with you in person at his office, at your home, or even at the hospital. During this meeting, he’ll review your accident, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you decide the best path forward.

"Absolutely wonderful! Both Al and Christine are great. They were very accommodating when it came to working with me and my case. Very professional, but empathetic and so very helpful. I would and do recommend them every chance I get!" - R.C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐