Most teens see summer as a period of freedom, including the freedom to drive aimlessly with their friends. Unfortunately, statistics show that this is also a very dangerous period for teen drivers.

Parents can take an active role in educating their teens about the dangers of summertime driving and provide some tips on staying safe.

Dangers for Young Arizona Drivers in the Summer Months

The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are some of the riskiest for teen drivers. With car crashes causing more teen deaths than violence, suicide, drugs and alcohol combined, it is little wonder that the lazy days of summer can produce alarming rates of injury and death.

In addition to being relatively new drivers, teenagers may take risks that older adults would not. Teens are also vulnerable to distracted driving and may not have the experience to know when to turn off the media devices that demand their attention.

Safety Initiatives to Protect Young Drivers

In response to the risks teens and others face, the National Safety Council has named June "Safety Month." One of the organization's initiatives focuses on teen driving safety, highlighting tips for safe driving and offering reminders about the deadly consequences of car crashes - consequences that are deadly not just for teens, but for passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.

Parents whose teens will be driving this summer are understandably concerned; but parents have a number of options to strengthen their children's driving skills, for the summer and the rest of their lives.

Teens can take driving courses specifically designed for people their age. Parents and teens can craft and sign an agreement on how the teens will drive, including a promise never to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Parents can also demand that teens limit their distractions by promising not to text while driving and allowing only one other teen in the car at a time.

It is certainly possible to help teen drivers become more attentive and cautious, but parents and others need to make an extra effort to boost teens' safety consciousness.