Summer is upon us, and while that may seem like a good thing for drivers, the season holds some very serious dangers and some of the most deadly driving conditions. Major holidays, teen drivers, and increased travel are just a few of the factors that ramp up the danger on the road during summer months.
Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day presents us with a trifecta of driving danger – booze, fatigue, and a high volume of cars on the road.
Being the unofficial start of summer and a three day weekend, people are driving farther and partying all weekend long. When it’s time to head home drivers are worn out from days of partying or just playing out in the hot sun. Some are liquored up and many of those who aren’t are pretty hung over.
This year AAA expects 33 million drivers to be on the road for Memorial Day this year. That’s a 5.3% increase, and if they’re right it will be the highest volume of cars on the road for the holiday in 10 years.
Fourth of July
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Independence Day is consistently the deadliest day of the year on American roads. According to IIHS data, there was an average of 127 deaths each 4th of July between 2008 and 2012.
Once again, drunk driving accidents and a high volume of travelers played a big role.
Heat Waves
Many people do not realize that extreme heat can cause accidents. Hot pavement means hot tires, and when tires get hot they are prone to blowout. Hot weather can make for drowsy drivers. Dehydrated drivers are more easily distracted, have difficulty concentrating and their judgment suffers.
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