Every summer, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day brings a familiar warning: the "100 Deadliest Days" are underway.
The designation reflects a troubling reality. Fatal crashes involving teen drivers increase during the summer months as school lets out, schedules become less structured, and young motorists spend more time on the road.
Most conversations about the 100 Deadliest Days focus on preventing crashes. That's important, but accidents aren't the only dangers young drivers face.
A flat tire, dead battery, lockout, or minor collision can also be dangerous. Young drivers who feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do can put themselves at greater risk while stranded on a busy road or in extreme heat. Often, the biggest challenge isn't the roadside event. It's the lack of preparation in knowing how to respond.
For insurers, roadside assistance providers, and families alike, helping young drivers prepare for the unexpected can reduce stress, improve safety, and lead to better outcomes when assistance is needed.
The risks young drivers face during the summer
Summer often brings more opportunities for teen drivers to get behind the wheel, but it can also bring greater risk exposure.
According to We Save Lives, approximately 700 people die each year in crashes involving teen drivers during the summer months. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 continue to have the highest crash rate of any age group, according to the CDC.
Several factors contribute to the increased risk. Teens often spend more time on the road, take longer trips, travel unfamiliar routes, and drive with other young passengers. Distraction, speeding, drowsy driving, and impaired driving remain persistent concerns.
Summer travel and increased vehicle use also lead to more roadside incidents. For young drivers, these situations can quickly become stressful if they have never been taught how to respond.
Preparation matters as much as prevention
Safe driving habits are essential, but preparedness deserves equal attention. Many roadside incidents can be made less disruptive through a few simple steps before a driver ever leaves home.
Before heading out, drivers should get into the habit of checking tire condition and pressure, confirming adequate fuel or battery charge, and paying attention to dashboard warning lights. These quick checks can help identify issues before they become roadside emergencies.
Just as important is ensuring drivers have access to the resources they'll need if something does happen. That means keeping a phone charged, saving emergency contact information, and sharing travel plans with family members when taking longer trips. Drivers should also understand their roadside assistance benefits and how to access them. Teens should download their automaker's or insurance app in advance, ensure they're logged in, and familiarize themselves with how to request help. Doing so can make it easier to receive support quickly during a stressful roadside event.
Preparation doesn't eliminate risk, but it can help drivers respond more confidently and effectively when problems arise.
The roadside incidents nobody talks about
When people think about teen driving risk, they typically picture crashes. In reality, dead batteries, overheating vehicles, and minor mechanical failures are everyday incidents that become more common in summer months, often catching inexperienced drivers off guard.
A driver experiencing their first roadside emergency may not know who to call or whether it's safe to exit the vehicle. Fortunately, the response process is often straightforward (if they know what to do).
If a vehicle becomes disabled, drivers should move to a safe location whenever possible (often the right shoulder of the road), activate their hazard lights, and assess their surroundings. In many situations, remaining inside the vehicle with seat belts fastened is the safest option while waiting for help, particularly near busy roadways.
When requesting roadside assistance, drivers should be prepared to provide their location, vehicle information, and a brief description of the issue. The more accurately drivers describe the situation, the faster help can arrive.
What parents often forget to teach new drivers
Most parents spend considerable time teaching teenagers how to drive. Far fewer spend time teaching them what to do after an incident occurs. Yet these practical skills can be just as important.
For example, does a new driver understand the difference between a situation that requires roadside assistance and one that requires emergency services? Do they know what information to exchange after a minor collision?
Many do not. Walking through common roadside scenarios, reviewing insurance and roadside assistance benefits, and discussing who to contact in different situations can help young drivers feel more prepared when faced with an unexpected event.
Knowing there is a plan in place can help drivers stay calm and make better decisions during stressful situations.
For insurers, preparedness creates better outcomes
The benefits of preparedness extend beyond individual drivers. When motorists understand how to respond to roadside incidents, everyone involved is better served.
Drivers can report incidents more safely, assistance providers can dispatch help more efficiently, and claims teams can begin their work with better information and fewer delays. In many cases, the difference between a smooth experience and a frustrating one comes down to whether the driver knew what to do when the event occurred.
As insurers continue to focus on customer experience and claims efficiency, preparedness remains an often-overlooked opportunity to improve outcomes while reducing friction throughout the assistance and claims journey.
That's especially important during the summer months, when incident volumes tend to increase, and young drivers spend more time behind the wheel.
Preparation is part of safe driving
The 100 Deadliest Days should not discourage teens from driving. Instead, they should serve as a reminder that driving involves more than operating a vehicle safely. It also requires being prepared for the unexpected.
Whether it's a flat tire, dead battery, minor collision, or roadside breakdown, knowing how to respond can significantly improve outcomes for drivers and their families.
For parents, summer presents an ideal opportunity to reinforce these lessons. For insurers and roadside assistance providers, it's a chance to help drivers build the confidence and preparedness needed to navigate real-world situations.
Because one of the most important lessons a new driver can learn isn't simply how to drive. It's knowing what to do if something goes wrong.
(Photo credit: Lopolo/Shutterstock.com)
Ben Zatlin is Vice President and Head of Roadside Assistance and Accident Management at Agero, where he leads initiatives to modernize claims workflows and improve post-incident outcomes. He previously led Agero's digital transformation to its next-generation dispatch platform. He is based in the San Francisco Bay area.
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