100 Deadliest Days: Summer is most dangerous for teenage drivers

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Tuesday, May 27th marked Day 1 of the "100 Deadliest Days" for teenage drivers -- according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA says the mixture of summer fun, cell phone distractions and free time can lead to fatal crashes.

For teenage drivers, when it's warm out, and you're off school -- it's the perfect time to hop in the car and have some fun!

But it's that mindset that makes these next 100 days so dangerous for teens.

"Let them know, 'I don't want to lose you.' Just the aftermath of losing a child, how horrible that is for everyone left behind," Judy Hudson said.

Hudson spends hours with teen drivers every day -- and says during the summer, there are a lot more risks that come with getting in the car.

"Summer time is a time to have a good time, so they're kind of more distracted," Hudson said.

School is out, there are graduation parties, more traffic, more construction, and more bad behavior.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office says there's a definite increase in summer accidents, and in underage drinking.

That's why Hudson says you shouldn't ignore that topic of teen drinking just because it's illegal.

"Definitely, if you have a kid who is out drinking -- that they don't drink and drive and you let them know they can give you a call anytime, and they can pay for the ramifications the next day or whatever," Hudson said.

Hudson's sister was killed by a drunk driver, and says it's stories like hers that get through to teens.

"Real-life stories, you know, about what can happen," Hudson said.

In 2012, the NHTSA reports 1,000 people were killed in car crashes involving teens during these 100 days, and the Dane County Sheriff's Office says accident rates are the highest for first year drivers.

Edwin Monson says even though his daughter is past that first year, it's still scary for parents.

"When she first got her license she was in two back-to-back accidents -- just from not paying attention, you know, being aware of your surroundings. That's at 16. She's 18 now, so it's just nervous -- nerve wrecking," Monson said.

Monson says the biggest laws broken by new drivers include not wearing seat belts, breaking the "more than one passenger" rule, and texting while driving.

Now, more insurance companies and cell phone companies have programs to make sure your teens are being safe while driving.