Written by Tanya Terry
During the current period called the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” Jordan Ewald, an attorney at Michigan Auto Law, discussed teen driver fatalities and safety with the Courier. The “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” is a phrased coined by AAA to describe the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when fatal teen crashes significantly increase. According to data from 2019 to 2024, approximately 30-38% of all fatal teen crashes occur during this period, with the trend worsening for teen drivers—rising from 32% in 2022 to 38.4% in 2024.
“So, I think any fatality type crash, I mean, even when they’re not fatalities, every crash is important to us, but fatalities especially are heartbreaking,” said Ewald. “You never think that that’s going to happen to a family member or a friend of yours. You get a call in the middle of the night, or you’re at work or at the grocery store -and it’s like the worst call you ever get. With teens especially, because they’re so young, you think they have so much life ahead of them, so many things still yet to accomplish when they are seriously injured and when there are fatalities involved…It’s just gut wrenching.”
Ewald attributes much of the growing number of fatal teen crashes to an increase in distractions.
“Every year there’s new tech in cell phones that want kids to use them all the time,” Ewald said. “Texting was brand new just a couple years ago, but now you can watch videos, you can stream television, you can tweet, you can text, you can do all these things on your phone. So, I think there are more distractions in play. That definitely is contributing to teen crashes because let’s be honest, most of them are very attached to their cell phones, social media, interacting with friends and the internet.”
Ewald emphasized that distracted driving crashes are preventable and compared cell phone use to drunk driving in terms of danger. She noted texting while driving makes drivers 23 times more likely to crash, and even hands-free phone conversations use about one-third of brain power that could focus on the road.
Ewald shared about the Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship, which offers annual scholarships to high school students throughout Michigan.
Kelsey’s Law, MCL 257.602c, prohibits teen drivers with a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated license from using or talking on a cell phone while they are driving. The Law was named in honor of Kelsey Raffaele, 17, of Sault Ste. Marie, who tragically died in a cell phone-related automobile crash in 2010.
Michigan Auto Law is awarding 4 winners this year for their annual Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship, totaling to $5,000 in scholarships.
Although the deadline for this year’s scholarship has passed, the scholarship will also be available next year.
Ewald gave advice for parents and the general public, including being a good example, keeping eyes on the road, wearing seatbelts, following speed limits and engaging in defensive driving. For teen drivers specifically, Ewald recommends at least 50 hours of supervised practice, discussing safe driving habits openly and considering a parent-teen driving agreement with clear rules and consequences.
Additional risk factors for teen driver fatalities include having passengers, speeding (a factor in 16.1% of Michigan crash fatalities and nearly 30% of fatal teen crashes) and not wearing seatbelts.
“Wearing your seatbelt when you’re in the front seat of a car, a pickup truck or an SUV reduces your risk of dying in a crash by 45-60%. So, it’s a big deal to wear your seatbelt. It’s not just nagging. It’s not a joke. It’s very serious.”
For tips to help prevent fatal car crashes and save lives visit www.MichiganAutoLaw.com/Safe-Drive-Summer
