The summer months can be a fun time to get in your car and take a road trip. Unfortunately, it's also one of the deadliest times to do so. In fact, according to data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more auto accidents during the summer months than at any other time of year--and this number only increases when you factor in teenage drivers. That's right: not only is summer an inherently dangerous season for driving due to construction zones and traffic congestion, but it also happens to be peak season for teen drivers who are still new to their licenses!
Summer Time Roads
Summer is one of the most dangerous times to drive a car. Many people are on vacation, and more people are on the road. It can be difficult to find parking spaces in cities like New York and Boston during this time of year. There are other factors that make summer dangerous:
Heat makes people drowsy and disoriented
Drivers may be distracted by their own children or pets
Summer Road Hazards
There are many reasons why car accidents spike during the summer months. The most common reasons include:
Teen drivers. With more teens taking to the road on their own, there is a higher likelihood of them getting into an accident.
More people take road trips in the summer.
The days are longer and people drive more during daylight hours. This increases traffic congestion because more cars are on the roads at the same time, which can lead to accidents by sheer volume alone!
Construction zones can cause major traffic jams in the summer as well as hazardous situations for pedestrians trying to cross streets at intersections near construction sites (source).
Sharing The Road With New Drivers
The summer is a time of year when many teenagers are on the road for the first time, and they are more likely to be distracted by friends and more likely to speed. Teen drivers also might drink and drive more often during this season.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), crashes caused by teen drivers account for 7% of total car accidents in America. The large majority of these accidents take place in warmer months between April and October when teens have a lot more freedom than school will allow them during winter or spring breaks.
Traffic Congestion In The Summer Can Be Dangerous
Traffic congestion is one of the biggest contributors to car accidents, and it tends to be more dangerous during the summer. Car accident rates increase during the summer because there are more people on the road—and traffic congestion means that these cars are often traveling at slower speeds than they would otherwise. When you have less space between vehicles in front of you, there’s a greater chance that you will crash into another vehicle if something unexpected happens: whether it be someone cutting you off or your sudden realization that there’s a pothole in front of you.
Traffic congestion can also lead drivers to become frustrated with their commute times and drivers around them. This can cause drivers to take risks in order to get where they need to go faster, which contributes to further risk of injury or death by either speeding up or driving too close together. The increase in stress levels caused by traffic congestion may also cause distracted driving behaviors such as texting while behind the wheel or applying make-up while driving down busy highways—both dangerous habits that can lead directly back to crashes due as well as injuries sustained from being thrown around inside an unprotected vehicle when things do go wrong!
There’s no way around it: summertime is a dangerous time to be on the road. The weather can make it difficult for drivers to see and stay focused, and there are more people traveling during this season than any other. If you have plans to hit the road make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way!
If you or a loved one were involved in an accident, we can help. Contact Manning Law, APC at (800) 783-5006 to schedule a free case consultation.