In Connecticut, the number of fatal car crashes that involve teen drivers during the first six months of 2020 more than doubled the same period last year, according to AAA Northeast.
AAA has been analyzing the UConn Crash Data Repository over the past several years and found that there were 15 fatal crashes from January to June 2020, compared to seven in the first six months of 2019.
AAA Northeast spokeswoman Fran Mayko says the spike in fatal teen crashes was during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. She said drivers felt they could speed due to less congestion on the road.
AAA released the data to mark National Teen Driver Safety Week to encourage parents to focus on safe driving skills with their children.
An additional five teens died in car crashes after the data was compiled since June.