As the summer heat cranks up and the last school bells ring, teen drivers across Arizona are facing what's been branded as the "100 Deadliest Days" - the stretch from Memorial Day to Labor Day when roadways become especially treacherous for the youngest drivers among us. ABC15 reports that during this period, teen drivers are at increased risk, with an unfortunate average of seven young lives lost to car crashes each day.

But there's a beacon of hope shining from Scottsdale, where Driving MBA is putting teens behind the wheel, albeit virtually, to help them tackle these challenges head-on. Driving MBA's strategy involves having teens experience texting while driving first-hand on simulators to truly grasp its dangers. As student Samantha Fort, immersed in a mimicry of peril, told ABC15 , "I like that it's on a simulator because I am crashing; I won't text while driving." Misplaced in a protective bubble of simulation, young drivers learn what not to do without the costs.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety paints a grim picture, pointing to summer as the zenith of danger for teen drivers. Yet, Driving MBA is adamant about equipping these young individuals with the important skills they need in a world increasingly filled with distractions. Maria Wojtczak, who captains the helm of Driving MBA as its CEO, stresses the importance of these simulated experiences, saying, "Everything they're learning, they're doing in a controlled environment. They're building skill," according to ABC15 .

While simulation offers a replicated taste of the trials on the road, nothing beats real-world experience. However, before teens are loosed onto the much busier summer streets, Driving MBA aims to shield them with practical defensive driving skills. They have established an intricate suite including both Driving Fundamentals Simulation Lab and Defensive Driving Simulation Lab which, perhaps obscured by enthusiastic endorsements, just might save lives. "We don't just help teens pass the test, we help them build a foundation for safe driving for life," Wojtczak told FOX59 .

The concern is critical, for it is not just wanderlust and freedom that summer unleashes, but an increased likelihood of tragedy on the roads. In efforts to ensure these crucial lessons are heard, Driving MBA underscores the role of parents in this developmental journey - urging them to practice what they preach when it comes to safe driving habits. It's in these households that Driving MBA's message needs to echo, because after all, the goal is simple: "I hope they take driving seriously. They have fun, enjoy their summer, but stay safe," Wojtczak emphasized to ABC15 .