The summer months may seem like a safe time to be on the road. Inclement weather is less common than it is during the winter. There aren’t any school buses clogging up the streets and leaving drivers frantic due to delays on their way to work in the morning.
However, the absence of certain hazards does not automatically correlate to reduced collision risk. The summer months actually see quite a few crashes, many of which result in severe injuries or even death. There are certain specific safety hazards that contribute to the likelihood of major collisions during the summer months.
What seasonal risk factors contribute to many summertime collisions?
Drunk driving
When looking at a breakdown of deadly drunk driving crashes, the summer months are the most dangerous. Roughly 28% of annual drunk driving fatalities occur during the summer, which is higher than any other season. Multiple summer holidays play a role in that risk. Drunk driving crashes tend to surge around major federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July. People drinking and then trying to drive home after parties cause crashes with tragic outcomes.
More teen drivers
Safety experts point to the high number of teenagers without school obligations as a risk factor during the summer. Newer drivers with limited experience are at increased risk of causing a crash when compared with those who have more experience. Their brains are not yet finished developing, which means they may make impulsive decisions even if they have worked hard to hone their driving skills. Intoxication from teenage parties or distraction caused by electronics or peers in the vehicle can increase the risk of major collisions involving young drivers.
Road construction
Technically, road crews can work during any season. Still, the summer is often when the state conducts many of its largest road improvement, maintenance and expansion projects. Road construction restricts traffic, forcing drivers to deal with significant congestion. Road crews are a visual distraction to drivers. The slowdown caused by construction can also lead to aggressive driving, which can increase the risk of a wreck.
Summertime rain showers, sunny road conditions and animal activity are also all risk factors that can lead to collisions during the warmest part of the year. Identifying underlying causes and establishing who is at fault can allow those involved in summertime car wrecks to pursue compensation from any driver who has caused a preventable crash.