The “100 Deadly Days” Of Summer

Watch the video below for expert safety tips from Stewart Law Offices and learn how to avoid risks during the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer on SC & NC roads.

Teen Driver Safety During the 100 Deadly Days

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is not just dangerous overall; it is specifically the deadliest stretch of the year for teen drivers. 

Here is why teen crash rates rise so dramatically in summer:

• Driver inexperience: Driver inexperience is the leading cause of crashes involving teen drivers. Teens are not primarily crashing because they are reckless; they are crashing because driving is a skill that takes time to develop.
• More unsupervised driving time: Summer removes the daily structure of the school year. Teens have more free time, fewer obligations, and less parental supervision, all of which translate into more time behind the wheel under conditions where risks are less predictable.
• Nighttime driving: Crash risk is significantly higher for teens after dark. During summer months, later sunset times and relaxed curfews mean more teen drivers are on the road at night. The fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16–17-year-olds is about twice as high at night as it is during the day.
• Teen passengers: The presence of teen passengers substantially increases crash risk for inexperienced drivers. Teens transporting multiple teen passengers are significantly more likely to be involved in serious crashes.
• Distracted driving: Cell phone use, in-vehicle entertainment systems, and peer interactions are powerful distractions for young drivers whose brains are not yet fully developed. Research confirms that the part of the brain responsible for risk assessment, emotional regulation, and impulse control is not fully developed until age 25, making teens genuinely more vulnerable to engaging in risky behaviors without fully recognizing the danger.
• What parents can do: Set clear rules about nighttime driving, the number of passengers allowed, and cell phone use in the car. Consider a written parent-teen driving agreement. Most states, including South Carolina, have Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws designed to limit teen exposure during high-risk conditions.

South Carolina’s 2026 Enforcement Response

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has launched a multi-pronged enforcement campaign for the 2026 100 Deadly Days of Summer season. Here is what drivers can expect on South Carolina roads this summer:

Buckle Up, South Carolina (BUSC) Campaign – Partnering with NASCAR driver Ross Chastain for the fourth consecutive year, SCDPS is running a statewide paid media campaign urging seat belt compliance. Chastain’s message: “Click it. Don’t risk it.” The campaign runs across social media, billboards, and radio stations throughout the summer.

Increased Trooper Presence – Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the SC Highway Patrol is deploying a trooper every 10 miles on South Carolina interstates. Drivers should expect visible patrol presence throughout the holiday weekend and an elevated enforcement posture for the entire Memorial Day through Labor Day period.

Operation Southern Slow Down – Each year during the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, South Carolina joins Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee in “Operation Southern Slow Down”, a weeklong concentrated speed enforcement campaign targeting drivers traveling well above posted limits on interstates and state highways. 

Sober or Slammer Campaign – As the 100 Deadly Days of Summer come to a close around Labor Day, SCDPS launches its “Sober or Slammer” campaign targeting impaired driving. Increased DUI checkpoints and roving patrols target high-volume corridors near popular destinations.

Spartanburg County’s 100 Deadly Days Crackdown – In 2026, Spartanburg County launched its own dedicated enforcement crackdown aligned with the 100 Deadly Days of Summer.

Safety Tips to Survive the 100 Deadly Days

Whether you are driving, riding, or boating this summer, the following practices can make the difference:

For all drivers:

• Always buckle up
• Never drive after drinking or using drugs
• Put your phone away completely while driving
• Observe posted speed limits, especially in beach towns, construction zones, and unfamiliar areas
• Follow the three-second following distance rule, and double it in wet or foggy conditions
• Pull over safely if you feel drowsy 

For parents of teen drivers:

• Stay actively involved in your teen’s driving even after they receive their license
• Enforce nighttime driving restrictions and passenger limits
• Use a written parent-teen driving agreement to establish expectations
• Model the behavior you expect teens to learn from watching how adults drive

For boaters:

• Never operate a boat while impaired
• Check weather forecasts before departure and turn back if conditions deteriorate
• Ensure all required safety equipment, like life jackets, flares, horn, is aboard and accessible
• Complete a boating safety course before your first outing of the season