Here's what Oklahoma teens—and parents—need to know
Every summer, families across the country look forward to warm weather, road trips, and the freedom of school-free days. But the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day is one of the most dangerous times of year for teen drivers, and everyone sharing the road with them.
From 2019 to 2023, more than 13,000 people died in car accidents involving teen drivers, according to a AAA analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Over 30% of those deaths happened during the summer months. In 2023 alone, 2,897 people were killed in teen-driver crashes. A third of those fatalities occurred between late May and early September. That’s nearly 8 people per day.
Why do teen crashes spike during summer?
There is no single reason why summer is more dangerous for teen drivers; it’s a combination of factors that create the perfect storm. First, teens are simply on the road more. School’s out, meaning they’re driving to part-time jobs, hanging out with friends, or just enjoying their freedom. Without the structure of school, teens also have more unmonitored time, which often means more driving without adults in the car.
Studies show that the risk of a crash increases significantly when teen drivers have other teen passengers. With nighttime driving, unfamiliar routes, and inexperience behind the wheel, the risks climb fast.
Even with good intentions, teens often lack the judgment that comes with years of experience behind the wheel. They may speed, check a notification, or assume they have the right of way when they don’t. Combine all of that with summer parties, late nights, and longer road trips, and you get a season that’s far more dangerous than the rest of the year.
What can parents do to keep their teens safe?
One of the most powerful things a parent can do is lead by example. That means no texting while driving, always wearing a seatbelt, obeying the speed limit, and staying calm behind the wheel. Teens watch everything, and how you drive shapes how they’ll drive.
Beyond modeling safe behavior, it’s important to discuss driving expectations openly and regularly. Set clear rules about curfews, passenger limits, and phone use. Consider using a written parent-teen driving agreement to outline the terms clearly. Tools like this make the expectations and consequences easier to understand and enforce.
Summer is also a great time to enroll teens in a defensive driving course or a comprehensive driver’s education program. These programs go beyond the basics and help teens understand real-world risks and how to react when things don’t go as planned. Practice driving with your teen as much as possible, especially in different weather conditions, on highways, and at night.
How big of a problem is distracted driving?
According to NHTSA, distracted driving is a factor in 3,275 traffic fatalities. However, the actual number is likely higher, as many types of distracted driving don't leave a digital trail. For teens, smartphones are often the biggest distraction. Despite bans on texting while driving in almost every state, many young drivers still use their phones behind the wheel. Whether they’re replying to a message, changing a playlist, or checking directions, these small actions take their eyes off the road—and that’s all it takes for a tragedy.
This is especially dangerous for inexperienced drivers. A split-second glance at a phone can mean missing a stop sign, drifting into another lane, or failing to see a pedestrian crossing the street. Teens may think they can multitask, but the data shows otherwise. That brings us to a surprisingly effective solution: the “do not disturb while driving” feature on smartphones.
Can smartphone features actually reduce distracted driving?
Most modern smartphones, both iPhones and Androids, have a feature that silences notifications and sends automatic replies while you’re driving. It’s called “do not disturb while driving,” and when used properly, it can significantly reduce distraction.
However, the problem is that many people are unaware of its existence, and even fewer understand how to utilize it. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that before training, 85% of participants were unaware of how to use the feature, and half didn’t even realize their phone had it. Even more misunderstood how it works; many believed it would block music or navigation, which isn’t true.
Following a brief training session, participants in the study utilized the feature for five weeks. According to the results, smartphone interactions dropped by 41%, and the drivers were 6% less likely to pick up their phones at all. Such behavior change could save lives.
Talk to an Oklahoma car accident lawyer if you or your teen was hurt in a crash
If you were injured in a crash involving a teen driver, or if your child was the one hurt, you need legal help from a firm that understands how to handle these cases. Lawter & Associates Attorneys at Law PLLC knows how devastating these car accidents involving teens can be. Whether you're dealing with a young driver who made a serious mistake or another driver who put your teen in danger, our attorneys are ready to stand up for your family and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We’ve spent more than 40 years helping people across Oklahoma rebuild their lives after serious car accidents. Our legal team knows how to investigate teen-involved crashes, identify all liable parties, and hold insurance companies accountable. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. Our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict, and we only get paid if we win your case.
When you reach out for a free consultation, we’ll listen carefully to what happened, explain your legal rights, and walk you through the next steps with clarity and compassion. Additionally, we’ll address all your questions, review your potential legal options, and provide an honest assessment with no pressure, hidden fees, or obligations. Contact us online or call our law offices in Oklahoma City or Tulsa for a free consultation.
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