Beat the Stats: Dangerous Times to Drive

No matter how safe and defensive a driver you are, you take a serious risk every time you get behind the wheel of your car. Auto accidents claim the lives of over 40,000 Americans every year, which equals out to an alarming 110 driving related fatalities per day. As a defensive driver, it is your responsibility to take a serious look at how and when most fatal accidents occur and even though it is not always in our control, make a concerted effort to avoid (when possible) and pay extra attention during the peak times for danger on the open road.

Dangerous Times of the Day:

Not surprisingly, the time of day plays a huge role in the levels of safety on American roadways. According to Forbes.com , 49% of crashes occur at night when dangerous factors such as drunk driving, speeding and driving without safety belts are more common. Peak traffic times such as morning and evening rush hour also pose an elevated threat as there is an increase of the number of drivers on the road.  

Dangerous Days of the Week:

Most Americans might consider Wednesday to be the hump day in the middle of their workweek, but it is also one of the safest days to be on the open road. The middle of the week proves a safer time to drive as there is less traffic. Alternatively, starting on Friday and continuing through the weekend, there are a larger number of automobile accidents and crash-related fatalities with the inevitable increase of traffic. Holidays and holiday weekends also pose a dangerous situation for drivers as the national averages for traffic congestion are much elevated during these high-volume travel times.

Dangerous Months of the Year:

Winter is an obvious choice for dangerous driving months, especially in locations with snow and ice, but surprisingly, the most dangerous month for drivers is upon us right now, the month of August. According to a report by Fox News, studies have shown that 4 days in August have historically had the highest average number of car-related deaths, which is more than any other month. Alternatively, the 10 days of the year which averaged the fewest vehicle crash deaths were in the months of January and February.

In addition to your vigilance on when and where you drive, here are a few other tips to help enhance your safety on the road and help you avoid becoming another car accident statistic.

·         Wear your seatbelt at all times (and mandate this as a rule with any vehicle passengers)

·         Refrain from driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol

·         Follow the speed limit and any suggested safety signs

·         Do not text or perform any other distracting activities while operating a motor vehicle