Summer is One of the Deadliest Times for Teens
Drivers of all ages take to the roads more frequently as summer break draws closer. With more sunshine and road trip possibilities, it’s no surprise that you will expect to see a higher volume of cars on the road. However, this time of year also comes with a dangerous twist.
Often coined the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” the time span between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends is infamous for the number of fatal car accidents that occur. During this time, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports a 15% increase in deadly crashes involving teen drivers.
Examining National Trends
Over the course of the year, you can see many fluctuations in traffic and accident likelihood. While this can vary geographically because of inclement weather in the winter months forcing motorists to stay indoors or travel to warmer places like Southern California, national trends are fairly consistent.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), July is when the U.S. Department of Transportation reports the highest number of motor vehicle crash deaths, followed by September and October. For California, however, July, November, and December record the highest. Despite the variations, the III does recognize that one is more likely to be involved in a serious collision during the summer.
Why is Summer More Dangerous?
There are a few different reasons why the summer months see a higher probability of fatal accidents. Aside from the obvious congestion issues that come with more people being on the road, there are other potential hazards that may cause concern.
Construction
You may see a correlation between construction projects and the summer months. Since less people are expected to be commuting early in the morning, road maintenance crews may be more prominent and cause additional hazards like constricted lanes and closures.
Inexperienced Drivers
Do you remember those summer nights with your parents teaching you how to drive in the school parking lot? Since this is the time of year when teenagers aren’t having to sit in a classroom, you will likely find that the roads are impacted by inexperienced drivers. This may affect traffic speeds, signaling to switch lanes, turning at stop signs or lights, or any other driver behavior that comes second nature to those more experienced.
Driver Inattention and Distractions
With a limited number of environmental facts that you may have to pay more attention to — animals, weather, darkness at the end of your work day, etc. — drivers may not even realize that they aren’t being as careful with their driving. Along with this, you may have more passengers in your car than previously. This can add an extra layer of distraction, leading to a greater likelihood of accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
The extra free time that can often come with summer vacations can also lend itself to driving under the influence. Major holidays during this time of year — Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day for example — are well-known for having an increase in drunk driving-related fatal crashes. Being the factor on this list that is the most preventable by a driver, it becomes imperative that motorists never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
As the summer draws nearer, motorists should understand the various risks associated with being on the road and proceed with caution whenever possible. It is the responsibility of everyone on the road to help all motorists get where they are going safely, and you can aid in this process by understanding your role in the dangers listed above.
Call the Newport Beach Car Accident Attorneys
Motorists should prepare for the potential dangers that come with the summer months and know that they can have an experienced attorney on their side if another driver causes their injury on the road. If you are seeking representation following a car accident caused by another motorist, we can help you recover the damages for your injuries.
Call (800) 783-5006 to get in touch with the team at Manning Law, APC today!