Why the sudden spike once the weather warms up? Summer presents the following unique factors:
1. Teens Aren’t in School
With kids off for the summer, young drivers with less experience are on the road more often. While having more time to drive can help improve their technique, teens are still getting used to the rules of the road. Consequently, they can display questionable judgment behind the wheel. As a result, this demographic is more likely to get into an accident compared to other age groups.
2. Vacationers
During the summer, more individuals are traveling on the roadways to a vacation destination, increasing congestion on the roads. As a result, driving becomes more of a challenge. While many of these individuals are daytrippers, drivers taking longer trips are often unfamiliar with their surroundings, which could pose a threat to others. These motorists drive slower, may be easily distracted, could be traveling after a poor night’s rest and might be more interested in the scenery than what’s ahead.
3. Maintenance and Construction Projects
You notice these areas as you’re traveling to work in the morning and possibly again in the evening. Many motorists consider them an annoyance for the bottlenecks they form, but statistically, construction and maintenance zones are responsible for roughly 669 driving fatalities per year.
4. More Bicyclists and Motorcycles
Once the weather warms up, the emergence of two-wheeled vehicles leads to increased accident risks. For one, drivers aren’t used to seeing a bicycle or motorcycle on the road after a long winter. As a result, they might not see one until making a turn. Secondly, those on two wheels aren’t always following the rules of the road – for instance, driving in between two lanes, rather than sharing the road with cars.
5. Higher Temperatures
The higher the temperature outside, the hotter the interior of your car becomes. However, many motorists don’t realize these conditions also increase the chances you’ll get a flat tire. So, during the summer months, we recommend that you frequently check your tire tread and pressure.
6. Holidays
The summer is bookended by two major holidays, Memorial Day and Labor Day, with Independence Day in between. Unfortunately, as is the case with most holidays, drunk driving incidents increase, which makes your safety traveling on the roads far more of a gamble.
Even the safest drivers can find themselves involved in car accidents. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we have helped thousands of accident victims get the compensation they deserve from their insurance company. If you believe you have a claim, contact any of our locations today to speak with an experienced lawyer.
