Five Dangers of Summer Driving
Many car owners feel as if the summer is the safest time for them to drive. To the contrary, driving in the summer can be just as dangerous as driving in the winter is. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported more than 2,900 summer accident fatalities in 2013. Thousands of people lose their lives each year during the summer. The following are five of the common dangers facing summertime drivers:
1. Holiday Madness
The holidays are some of the most dangerous times of the year. Everyone rushes to get to their family members, loved ones, and special events. The rush, unfortunately, can cause devastating crashes. Holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day can yield a lot of traffic. One preventive strategy that a person can use for the holidays is to drive to one’s destination early in the morning when not many people are on the roads.
2. Increase in Inexperienced Drivers
Freshly minted drivers get out of school in the summertime, which means they are on the roads for a greater portion of the day. The cause of many teen-driver crashes, aside from inexperience, are distraction and indecision. It may be in your best interest to give these newly licensed drivers some extra space while they learn the rules of the road.
3. The Alcohol Factor
Summertime can be full of BBQs, Margaritaville-style vacations, and plenty of opportunity for alcohol consumption. If you or someone you know has enjoyed the warm weather with a brew or two, it may be in the best interest of both the driver and other traffic to wait until their blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal threshold.
4. Sun Glare and Sun Issues
Another problem that tends to happen in the summer time is sun glare issue. The worst times in the summer for sun glare are about an hour before sunrise and an hour before sunset; however, sun glare can certainly affect a driver’s visibility at any point in the day. Being prepared with sunglasses and using your visors are great ways to avoid sun glare related accidents.
5. Traffic Jam
Traffic jams are some of the ugliest accident culprits around. Motorcycles weave in and out of lanes. Cars and trucks leave little room for error. The summer time brings many traffic jams, that can sometimes cause additional slow downs because someone gets hurt. Give space and be attentive while you wait for traffic to clear.
What to Do About a Summertime Crash
The summer is a wonderful time of the year. However, drivers must be extra cautious during this season. If you are someone who has been hurt in a summertime crash as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer and schedule a consultation. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you to collect the compensation you deserve.