Memorial Day safety and '100 Deadliest Days'

AAA partners with OCTSAB, NYS Police, Onondaga Co. Sheriff, DeWitt Police on safety message

Submitted by AAA of Western and Central New York

AAA projects 39.4 million people will take road trips at least 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend – that’s 1.2 million more drivers out on the roads than last year’s holiday weekend, which also marks the beginning of the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers.

Across the country, 13,135 people have been killed in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019-23. Over 30% of those deaths occurred during the 100 deadliest days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, according to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On average, 8 people are killed per day in teen-involved driving crashes in the summer, compared to 7 per day during the rest of the year.

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.”

AAA teamed up with the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board, New York State Police, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and DeWitt Police to raise awareness of traffic safety as Memorial Day kicked off the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers.

“We hope to drive home the message that your choices behind the wheel have real-life consequences, not only for you as a driver, but also for your passengers and others on the road,” NYSP Acting Public Information Officer Trooper Robert Girard said.

“Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashes,” said Sgt. James Dean with DeWitt Police. “Young drivers in high school and college look forward to the summer season and the newfound freedom that comes with this break from school, but we are urging parents to talk to their young drivers about traffic safety and to serve as a good role model.”

With record-breaking travel expected this Memorial Day weekend, an influx of cars will be on the road, so drivers are encouraged to use extra caution.

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in 20 years,” said Kevin Holt, AAA senior travel ambassador. “This is expected to be the busiest Memorial Day weekend, surpassing 2005’s record of 44 million travelers nationwide. Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans say they are taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to spend time with their loved ones.”

In an effort to protect all road users, AAA and safety partners are urging teen drivers to store phones out of reach, obey speed limits, and stay away from impairing substances such as alcohol and marijuana.

AAA Director of Automotive Services Todd Ingraham issued a plea to protect workers as well: “Please protect our roadside heroes. Slow down and move over when you see a crew on the roadside. Our workers have families to go home to, and we want to keep everyone safe.”

Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashes. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72% of teen drivers aged 16-18 admitted to having engaged risky behaviors such as speeding, texting or red light running. The foundation also has new research highlighting the life-saving potential of smartphone-blocking technology. Parents should encourage teens to use “do not disturb” features on their phones to silence distractions while driving.

Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research informs the development of educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users. 

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 866,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.