Summer is a time for vacations, but with the increased number of drivers on the road, it is a season of tragedy as well. More Americans die on the nation’s highways during the 101 days between the Saturday before Memorial Day and Labor Day than at any other time of the year.

The dangers are real, but so are your chances for survival when you recognize the threats on the road and take measures to protect your family while you’re behind the wheel, AAA cautions.

Americans travel more than 1 trillion miles during the 101 days of summer, roughly 10 million miles more per month than any other month of the year. But all those miles take a deadly toll, as hundreds more die in traffic fatalities each month during the summer.

As more drivers hit the road, factors leading to traffic fatalities include alcohol use, inexperienced drivers, distractions, speeding and lack of auto maintenance. Also, failure to buckle up contributes heavily to deaths, and children who aren’t properly restrained are at even greater risk than adults.

Additionally, parents will often travel for longer distances, travel at night and for longer stretches than they normally would, which can lead to exhaustion. Fatigue impairs driving in similar ways as alcohol, impairing reaction time, attention and information processing.

To stay safe, AAA encourages motorists to employ basic habits like buckling up, not drinking and driving, avoiding late-night driving marathons and not giving new drivers excessive driving privileges all at once just because summer is here.

Driver-ZED, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s interactive DVD that helps teens become safer drivers, has been named a best product by iParenting Media, a multimedia organization providing information to parents and women.

The program is a realistic, full-motion gaming experience that helps teens gain driving experience without actually getting behind the wheel. Teens must scan video clips, spot risks and choose the safest action.

The price is $20, which includes shipping and handling. For minimum system requirements or to order, call AAA at 1-800-222-7623, ext. 6300, or visit online at www.AAA.com.