PA personal injury lawyer warns of dangerous driving days

August is the most dangerous driving month of the year, seeing more crashes than any other month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that more drivers tend to be out during the month of August, as well as for longer periods of time. The summer overall sees a high number of accidents, with more teens on the road over summer break, motorists traveling to family vacations and weekend getaways. This is also combined with more drivers on the road who have consumed alcohol. The summer is the time when everyone should be very cautious when hitting the road.

There are over 33,000 people killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. each year, and nearly 2.5 million injured. According to the NHTSA, Saturday is the most dangerous day of the week to be driving. There are several reasons that we see so many accidents on Saturdays, including more traffic on our roadways with weekend travelers and also more drunk drivers, which is a major contributor to accidents.

The National Safety Commission states that rush hour, between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m., is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. The roads are crowded during this time period with motorists in a hurry to get home from work, causing a higher number of accidents during this time period. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an average of 6.6 people are killed between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m. and another 6.6 between the hours of 6 and 7 p.m. The hours between midnight and 4 p.m. can also be risky, due again to dangerous drinking and driving during that takes place during that time period.

The best way to survive rush hour traffic is to stay alert. It is easy to become inattentive when traveling the same route every day. Rush hour usually entails traffic starting and stopping quickly, so it is bet to be alert to what other drivers are doing, so you can react quickly to sudden changes in the traffic pattern. Be prepared for sudden stops and slow downs, and also cars changing lanes quickly. Try to avoid tailgating; it’s the number one cause of rush hour collisions. If you keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, it will be easier to avoid an accident.

What can you do to stay safer while driving during the summer?

• Avoid distractions. Don’t talk on your cell phone or text while driving, even if it’s hands-free. If you need to make a call, wait for a safe area to pull over. Don’t try to program your GPS while driving. Don’t eat while driving.
• Rest to avoid fatigue. Schedule time for frequent breaks to stretch, snack and focus.
• Buckle up. Make sure you and everyone in your vehicle is buckled up and that children are in the proper car seats.
• Plan your trip ahead of time. Expect delays, roadwork and detours.
• Prepare you vehicle. Check fluids, tires, etc.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a PA personal injury lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. Call 855-866-5529 or visit www.munley.com.