The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is releasing a study confirming that nearly 60 percent of teen crashes involve distractions behind the wheel. This study is a follow-up to AAA’s comprehensive eight-year research program about distracted driving.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in crashes involving distracted teen drivers over the past 5 years during the “100 Deadliest Days,” a period of time starting at Memorial Day and lasting through the summer. Research shows that teens are more likely to drive during this time of year, resulting in an average of 1,022 fatalities due to teens driving while distracted. Distracted driving includes driving while texting, talking to other passengers or attending to something inside the vehicle.

The AAA “100 Deadliest Days” advocacy is an effort to help protect teens by working to pass graduated driver licensing laws and teen wireless bans in states across the country. In preparation, AAA encourages parents to educate their teens about the dangers of distracted driving.

For tools to prepare parents and teens for the dangerous summer driving season, visit www.TeenDriving.AAA.com.