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The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” due to the high amount of auto accidents that occur during this time. Last year, there were 271 auto-related deaths in Idaho. What’s unfortunate is that almost all of these accidents were completely preventable.
The reasons for these deaths were aggressive driving (80 deaths), no seat belt (75 deaths), impaired driving (75 deaths), distracted/inattentive driving (26 deaths), motorcycle-related without helmets (20 deaths) and driving while drowsy/fatigued/fell asleep (3 deaths).
I’m sure you will agree that even one traffic-related fatality is too many. As the number of roadway deaths has increased, we must all do our part to minimize risky behaviors which can contribute to roadway fatalities.
It is especially important to make sure our teen drivers learn and practice road safety. According to AAA (https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/teen-driver-safety/understand-the-facts-risks/), “Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens ages 16-19. In fact, six teens are killed each day in crashes that are entirely preventable. Per miles driven, teen drivers are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be killed in a crash.”
Let’s all do our part to drive safe. Our lives – and the lives of those we love -- depend on it.
-Mayor Kling
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