As each day becomes progressively brighter and brighter, it’s easy for even the most experienced drivers to forget the fundamental lessons of the road. After all, with soaring temperatures and historically low precipitation, the road seems to have fewer obstacles than ever before.
While winter driving typically conjures images of slippery roads and tragic crashes, summer driving is generally depicted as more relaxed and carefree. Unfortunately, the truth is very different. Most automobile accidents actually occur in the summertime, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration listing August and September as the peak months for accidents.
Why is summertime driving so dangerous?
Rather than one overarching reason causing this phenomenon, various circumstances come together to make summer driving quite calamitous. The three most commonly cited reasons are:
- Inexperienced drivers crowd the road. With school on temporary hold, both high school and college students get behind the wheel more often than they would in other seasons. Much more likely to initiate crashes, young students often don’t have the necessary experience to actively avoid collisions.
- Construction takes over. Incapacitated during the winter, construction activity reaches its peak during the summer months. Not only are construction zones inherently hazardous, they also increase congestion while reducing visibility – a vicious double-edged sword, which is sure to escalate the risk of hitting a bystander.
- Vehicular failures run rampant. High temperatures put more pressure on the engines and tires of cars, increasing the likelihood of a malfunction. Often manifesting as a tire blowout, these breakdowns can be absolutely disastrous – especially on a highway or crowded street.
Other common dangers unique to summer driving include:
- Increased prevalence of cyclists and motorcyclists
- More traffic flow due to tourism
- Intensified road rage as a result of excessive heat
How do I reduce the risk of getting myself into a summertime accident?
As opposed to the rather inevitable nature of winter crashes, avoiding summertime collisions is quick and easy. The most important first step is to recognize the problem. Because of the conventional risk associated with winter driving, most drivers are extra prudent during the colder months.
Making sure that you drive with this same mentality in the warmer months is a crucial stepping-stone to ensure that the risk of an accident is significantly reduced. Other than that, following a few more tips can prevent you from getting into a collision:
- Take care of your tires. Check the viability of their treads and keep track of their pressure to make sure everything is up to shape.
- Monitor fuel and fluid levels. Used up more quickly in warmer weather, always have the presence of mind to confirm that you have sufficient quantities of coolant and oil.
- Use common sense. If you’re feeling tired, pull over and take a break! Fatigue is one of the most widespread – and avoidable – causes of crashes
- Ditch your phone. Despite the sense of comfort than comes along with summer driving, it is never a good idea to check your phone while driving. Turn off your phone and put it away to make certain that it doesn’t become a distraction.
With these tips in mind, summer driving can be both safe and efficient! As long as you come prepared with the right mentality and presence of mind, you can significantly reduce the risk of getting into a car collision. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an automobile accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact my office immediately.
As your Ohio motorcycle accident attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 855.800.0384.
