July is National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month, a time to pause and reflect on the importance of keeping our roads safe for everyone, especially for our youngest and most inexperienced drivers. Summer brings freedom, but it also brings higher risks. Teens, in particular, face some of the greatest dangers behind the wheel. Road Radio USA exists to raise awareness, share stories, and empower communities to prevent tragedies before they happen. This month, we are focusing on teen driving safety, recent statistics, and an important new law that could save lives.
The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2023, crashes involving teen drivers ages 15 to 18 resulted in 2,611 deaths. Of those, 822 were the drivers themselves, and 604 were passengers. Sixty-two percent of those passengers were other teens. In addition, over 87,000 teens were injured in crashes that year. When we widen the lens, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 3,048 teenagers aged 13 to 19 died in motor-vehicle crashes nationwide in 2023. For teens, motor-vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death.
Teen drivers are especially vulnerable because of inexperience and risk-taking behaviors. The crash rate per mile driven for drivers ages 16 and 17 is nearly four times higher than for adults 20 and older. According to the CDC, teen crash fatalities triple at night compared to daytime hours. Nearly half of these crashes happen on weekends, and 44 percent occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Summer, while filled with promise, is the most dangerous time for young drivers. The weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are often called the “100 Deadliest Days” for a reason. Nearly half of all teen motor-vehicle deaths occur during this window when more teens are on the road, driving later at night, and often with passengers. For Road Radio USA, summer safety must be as much about planning and prevention as it is about fun and freedom.
Distracted driving adds another layer of risk. From texting to scrolling through social media, even a second of inattention can have devastating consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2023, distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives across the country. For teens, cell phone use plays a significant role in crashes. About 12 percent of teen crashes involve cell phone use, and another 15 percent involve distracted conversations with passengers. In Pennsylvania alone, there were 11,262 distracted-driving crashes in 2023. That number is higher than the number of alcohol-related crashes in the same year.
This year, Pennsylvania took an important step to combat distracted driving with the introduction of Paul Miller’s Law. Signed into law in 2024 and going into effect on June 5, 2025, this law makes it illegal to hold or use a handheld device while driving, even when stopped at a red light. It is named after Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old who was killed in 2010 by a distracted driver. The law allows for a one-year grace period where drivers will receive warnings rather than fines. Beginning June 5, 2026, violations will result in a $50 fine plus court costs.
Drivers may still use hands-free systems, connected navigation, or make emergency calls, but holding a phone or propping it on your lap is no longer permitted. This law also strengthens “Move Over” protections, requiring drivers to slow down or change lanes when approaching a disabled vehicle with hazard lights activated. It is a comprehensive approach to making roads safer not just for drivers but for anyone stopped along the roadside.
For Road Radio USA, Paul Miller’s Law is more than a new regulation. It is a story about a life cut short, a family’s heartbreak, and a community’s determination to make sure no other family experiences the same pain. When teens hear that this law is named for someone their age, it makes distracted driving real. It puts a name and a face to what could otherwise feel like just another rule.
So what can families do to protect their teens? Start by modeling good behavior. Parents should keep their own phones put away when driving, always buckle up, and obey speed limits. Setting clear rules about night driving, limiting teen passengers, and making sure seat belts are always worn can make a big difference. Consider signing a parent-teen driving agreement that outlines expectations and consequences.
Vehicle choice also matters. Older cars are often less safe because they lack advanced features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. Teens in vehicles older than five years are at a higher risk of fatal crashes compared to those in newer cars with these safety technologies.
Education plays a key role too. Programs that use virtual driving simulators and hazard-recognition training, like the RAPT program, have been shown to improve teen drivers’ attention and decision-making skills. Peer-to-peer initiatives such as Teens in the Driver Seat allow teens to hear safety messages from their friends and classmates, which can be far more impactful than hearing the same message from adults. National programs like Impact Teen Drivers and the Safe America Foundation offer engaging lessons that go beyond lectures and focus on real-life consequences.
National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month is an opportunity to make these conversations part of the summer routine. Communities can host safety days, invite local law enforcement to speak about the new law, and create events where teens pledge to stay hands-free. Sharing Paul Miller Jr.’s story in schools, community centers, and on social media helps teens understand the human cost of distracted driving.
Laws alone cannot change behavior. They are just one piece of the puzzle. Real change comes when laws are supported by community conversations, youth engagement, and a culture that prioritizes safety over convenience. When schools, parents, law enforcement, and organizations like Road Radio USA work together, awareness becomes action, and action saves lives.
As July comes to an end, take a moment to ask: What will we do differently? Will we keep our phones out of reach when we drive? Will we remind our teens to put safety first? Will we share the stories of those who were lost to remind others why prevention matters?
Summer is a season of possibility. It is also a time of risk. By focusing on prevention, by telling stories that matter, and by embracing laws that protect lives, we can make this National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month more than just a reminder. We can make it the start of a cultural shift that puts safety first, every mile, every day.