Summer Time Rise in Car Accidents

Even when your schedule doesn’t change much, summer still feels different. There seems to be more time for fun, relaxing, adventuring, partying, vacationing, gardening, traveling, and more. But, do you know what else there’s more of in the summer? There are more car accidents and more accident fatalities. And there are some serious reasons why this is true. Before an accident derails your summer and your life, find out the top five reasons why summer means a rise in car accidents and fatalities, and follow some tips for preventing them.

#1: More Traffic

The number one reason for a rise in car accidents and fatalities is the increase of cars on the roads, especially in vacation destinations like South Carolina. With most kids out of school, summer is the time for family travel, and many families opt for road trips over airline travel, resulting in more cars on the road, which means more chances for mishaps and collisions. The peak months for road travel and traffic are July and August. And vacation drivers tend to have additional distractions, such as people in the car, sightseeing while driving, and trying to navigate through unfamiliar towns.

Accident prevention tip: if you’re taking a road trip, plan it earlier in the summer to avoid the peak vacation season, and drive during off hours, including at night or in the early morning or late evening. When fewer drivers are on the road, you can reduce the risk of a car accident.

#2: More Inexperienced Drivers

Many parents of teens plan driver’s ed and obtaining permits around the calendar. They want their new driver to do much of their beginning driving during the summer when the weather is more predictable. The trouble with this strategy is that it puts more inexperienced teen drivers on the road when the risk of accidents is higher. And statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that fatalities are 30% higher in summer car accidents than during the winter, and teen drivers are present in a large percentage of these tragic crashes. With their lack of maturity, inexperience in reacting to sudden changes on the road, and lack of ability to foresee collisions, new drivers are a significant contributing factor to the rise of car accidents and fatalities.

Accident prevention tip: set your teen up for success and safety by having them drive as much as possible in the fall, winter, and spring months to help them prepare for summer driving. Getting as much experience as possible could save someone’s life, including their own.

#3: More Car Breakdowns

The summer heat can take a toll on the average auto. In the South, you tend to see more breakdowns in June, July, and August due to overheating engines and blown tires. A breakdown in the middle of traffic can cause a serious accident, and a blown tire at high speeds can cause a fatality. If your car is acting up, pull as far off the road as you can to avoid a collision with a passing car. And if you see a car pulled off the road or witness a breakdown, call the police to assist and give that car and its driver a wide berth for their safety and your own.

Accident prevention tip: check the fluids in your car at the beginning of the summer and every month during the hotter months to help prevent overheating. To help reduce the chance of a tire blowout, be sure your tires have ample tread. Bald tires are much more likely to have issues than new ones.

#4: More Construction

Summer is the season for road construction, and with it the increased rate of accidents. Construction means rough roads, changes in traffic patterns, speed changes, and cone zones. Fender benders are common in those areas where quick stops happen regularly due to construction vehicles and other road work. And fatalities are not uncommon for the crews out on those sites. So be careful in construction zones, slow down where indicated, and watch for workers who are on foot and vulnerable to oncoming cars.

Accident prevention tip: during peak times of road construction, choose an alternate route when possible. Drive when there is less traffic to avoid the increased chance of an accident.

#5: More Drinking and Driving

Summer is the time for parties, barbecues, holidays, and family and neighborhood gatherings, which means more people are enjoying alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, many of those people will choose to drive after drinking. The peak times for summer accidents caused by drunk driving are Memorial Day weekend, 4^th of July, and Labor Day weekend. There’s a surge in celebrations around those holidays, resulting in a surge in highway fatalities.

Accident prevention tip: first and foremost – don’t drink and drive. Call an Uber, call a cab, assign a designated driver, abstain from drinking, stay the night, or stay home. Those are the best ways to avoid a driving catastrophe from drunk driving.

With the rise in summer car accidents and fatalities, the best response is to take accident prevention measures when possible and do your best to stay safe when driving. However, should the unthinkable happen, don’t wait to enlist the help of a car accident attorney. Contact the experienced and compassionate team at Carr Legal Group if you need help navigating the process after a summer car accident.

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