GLADSTONE, Mo. — Summer break is taking on the name of the '100 deadliest days' of summer.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says 10 people per day died between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2016. The reason for the spike: more free time, more passengers in the car and more inexperienced drivers on the roads.
Dan Backhaus has been a Drivers Education Instructor for more than 20 years. He teaches teenagers and adults how to drive at Liberty Driving School.
Backhaus said over the years, learning how to drive has become more difficult due to distractions.
"We really have to focus," Backhaus said. "We get more educated in regards to how we need to be safer, defensive drivers."
The state of Missouri only requires 40 hours of driving and does not require teens to take a drivers education course.
"Parents just sign off on that, so whether they did that or not is questionable," Backhaus said.
While a course is not required, Backhaus said he still has a full schedule throughout the summer months. At Liberty Driving School, his test only takes teens about 15 minutes to drive.
"Go the speed limit, be heads up for other people and really pay attention to detail. That's how to pass your test," he said.
Backhaus said his goal is more than just preparing teens to pass their test. He said his main job is to ensure teens are prepared for day-to-day driving.
In Missouri, teenagers have to score a 70 out of 100 in order to pass the driving test. Parallel parking is the number one thing teenagers struggle with, but it only accounts for six points on their test.
