According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teens are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash during this period than at other times of the year. The rise in fatalities stems from a combination of factors: an influx of vacation traffic, distracted driving, increased presence of inexperienced drivers, and a seasonal spike in risk-taking behavior behind the wheel.
“Teen drivers, many of whom are driving more frequently once school lets out, are especially vulnerable,” said Randy Termeer, president of property and casualty insurance at USAA. “Whether it’s texting friends or piling into the car for a joy ride, bad habits behind the wheel can have tragic consequences.”
Indeed, distracted driving plays a leading role. The National Road Safety Foundation reports that distraction accounts for 60 percent of teen crashes. That risk multiplies when peers are present in the vehicle.
USAA, which serves military families and veterans, has released new data from its SafePilot telematics program—a smartphone app that monitors behaviors like harsh braking, phone usage, and time of day driven—to shine a spotlight on distraction rates among young drivers. According to the app, Mississippi has the highest rate of distracted teen driving at 18.1 percent, followed by Louisiana, South Dakota, Iowa, and Alabama.
In contrast, states with the lowest rates of distraction include Oregon (9.0 percent), Washington, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Hawaii—figures that suggest safer driving habits in those regions.
To combat these dangers, USAA has introduced a Safe Driving Simulator, a five-minute interactive experience that places users behind a virtual wheel, confronting them with real-world distractions such as loud music and phone notifications. The aim is to help drivers, especially teens, recognize and correct risky behavior before it leads to real-life consequences. The simulator will be featured this summer at military events in Fort Worth, Texas, and Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia.
“Providing families with the tools to prevent accidents is just as important as supporting them afterward,” Termeer said. “We hope that by raising awareness and reinforcing safe habits, we can make these 100 days a little less deadly.”
Founded in 1922, USAA serves more than 14 million members of the U.S. military community and continues to advocate for safer roads through education, technology, and outreach.