Car Accidents: The Most Dangerous Times To Drive Your Car
You may believe that you are the safest driver in the world, and you may be right, but there is nothing you can do to influence the behavior of other drivers. For this reason, in addition to being careful, it is important to always drive defensively. This involves anticipating the movements of other drivers and assuming that the roads are dangerous and anything fatal can happen to you.
In this blog, we present to you facts which are based on the data compiled by the NHTSA and AAA using the statistics on the number of deaths on the road. More than 40,000 people die in traffic accidents each year in the United States. Hence, you should always drive cautiously. However, there are particular times of the day in which you need to be more vigilant and avoid any distraction on the road. Let’s begin.
The most dangerous time for car drivers
Well, without any surprise, the sunset and after hours from 5pm to 7pm were found to be the most dangerous on the road. There are major 2 reasons for it-
- The streets are busy in the evening with highest traffic congestion.
- Exhausted commuters who want to reach back to their places as soon as possible after a long day at work may indulge in over speeding.
However, there is additionally one more dangerous time of day to drive. The deadliest hours are from midnight to 4am, based on the highest death rates per total number of people on the road. When comparing car vs pedestrian accidents, the likelihood of severe injury or fatality increases significantly for pedestrians, especially during high-traffic times and in poorly lit areas. More than one-third of all pedestrian fatalities occur between 9 pm and midnight.
The most dangerous month for car drivers
Every state has different statistics for the most dangerous months to drive. For example, December-February is the most dangerous for Northeastern states like Maine, while the summer months may be the most dangerous in tourist states like Florida. The months with the most mileage (miles traveled per vehicle) are May to October. An unpleasant side effect of having so many cars on the roads in the summer is an increase in road deaths - the more cars, the more people die.
The most dangerous driving day of the week
Avoid Saturdays! Avvo reviewed info from NHTSA finding that Saturday afternoon is the most dangerous day to drive in the United States. Alcohol and speeding were the 2 most common reasons.
The most dangerous days to keep driving
Be careful if you need to park your car in the garage or drive on July 4th. For decades, Independence Day has been one of the most dangerous days of driving followed by a day earlier that is 3rd July. The IIHS data says that more than 900 people are killed in traffic accidents on the 4th of July each year. DUI and traffic congestion have been the major factors behind the surge in road deaths on Independence Day.
Labor Day Weekend: Most of the deaths in September happened over the weekend. The reasons were found to be the same as Independence Day.
Thanksgiving is one of the rushiest travel occasions in the United States. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving sees the heaviest traffic as many Americans return home for vacation.
The most dangerous weather to drive
Winter, without any surprise, is a time to avoid for car drivers. Car drivers should strictly avoid driving in the early days of snowstorms. Overall, the cold season does not lead to as many road accidents and fatalities as the first snow day. There are 14% more accidents on the first day of snow than in the second half of winter.
Avoid dangerous highways
Rural roads are believed to be responsible for more than half of all deaths. According to Geotab experts, the most dangerous roads in the United States are: Highway 1 in Florida followed by I-40 in Tennessee.
Being aware of the risky times and days on road can help to avoid bad situations while driving. However, car accidents are still inevitable and can happen to anyone. If you are involved in a car crash, do not delay in consulting an expert car accident attorney. They can help you to recover a fair compensation.