DAYTON – Law enforcement and the AAA are warning of a summer spike in teen driving accidents.
The Dayton Daily News reports the risk for fatal teen crashes increases by 17% between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
New data reveals the main reasons behind these deadly summer teen crashes include speeding, drinking and driving and distraction, according to the auto club.
AAA officials say about six in 10 crashes involving young drivers result from distraction.
Sending and reading emails and texts on cellphones are distractions, as are passengers. Driving experts recommend storing phones out of reach while driving and urge parents to enforce a no-passenger rule for at least six months.
Ohio lawmakers are considering requiring teen drivers to hold their learner’s permit for a year, rather than six months, to provide more experience. Driver inexperience is the number-one reason teens crash, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Sgt. Chris Colbert of the State Highway Patrol has said “we owe it to teens to make sure they’re as equipped as possible.”