When are you most likely to get hurt in a serious car accident? All kinds of studies have been conducted that analyze the time of day when crashes are most likely to occur, but what about the time into an average drive?
According to a recent study conducted by Dolphin Technologies and reported in WTOP News, traffic collisions are most likely to occur in the first few minutes after you get behind the wheel. Indeed, while motor vehicle crashes certainly can happen at any point in a person’s cross-town or cross-country drive, car accidents are more likely to happen shortly after you start your car and get on the road.
Majority of Accidents Happen Within First Few Minutes of Your Trip
In the new study, data was pulled from 3.2 million vehicle trips taken by a total of approximately 40,000 people in 2018 and 2019. Of those trips involved in the study, there were a total of 1,986 motor vehicle accidents. Here are some of the data points from the research:
- Most car trips last fewer than 30 minutes (87%, in fact), and only about 1% of car trips taken last longer than an hour;
- In short car trips that last for fewer than 10 minutes, a majority of accidents happen within the first three minutes of driving;
- Majority of collisions tend to occur in shorter driving trips that last for fewer than 10 minutes, and the chances of being involved in a collision actually decrease with the length of your car trip;
- Majority of motor vehicle collisions occur very close to your home or job—wherever you are starting your car trip from; and
- As many as 40% of all car accidents could be avoided if people choose alternate forms of transportation for trips within a mile or two of the starting location.
How to Reduce Car Accidents
Given that the study focuses on the lengths of car trips to determine accident risk and emphasizes the dangers in shorter trips, the study suggests that avoiding short vehicle trips can lead to fewer accidents. More generally, the article recommends motorists consider the following safety tips:
- If you can walk or cycle instead of driving, you should do so;
- If you are taking a long vehicle trip (of more than an hour), you should plan regular breaks to avoid drowsy or fatigued driving accidents;
- Anytime you are driving, whether it is a very quick trip or a longer road trip, you should avoid using your cell phone in any capacity if you are driving since more than one-quarter of all collisions that occur are tied to smartphone use.
Call My Office to Seek Advice About Your Car Accident Claim
Motor vehicle collisions are preventable, yet drivers continue to get behind the wheel intoxicated or drowsy, or when they are too distracted or behaving too aggressively to avoid a crash. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a car accident in Ohio, I want to help you get the financial compensation you need at this difficult time. I can help you to negotiate an insurance settlement or to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
When you get in touch with me, I can begin evaluating your case and discussing your options with you. When it comes to negligent drivers, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office today at 877.944.4373 for more information.
