One might think that the safety of the road is the same any day of the year. Few things separate one day from another after all. But statistics show that some days are indeed more dangerous than others. Here are the six most dangerous times to be on the road:
Daylight Savings Time
Daylight savings time changes often cause people to run late, fall behind, and oversleep, among other various inconveniences. Statistics released by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System show that there is a consistent 17 percent increase in traffic related deaths on the days following Daylight Savings Time.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is commonly celebrated with rampant drinking. Tragically, this also leads to many traffic fatalities. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration state that 276 people were killed in a recent three-year period over St. Patrick’s Day weekend; two-fifths of those deaths were related to drunken driving.
Independence Day
The 4th of July is notorious for increased domestic travel. Many families will load up the car or van and leave town or head to their nearest beach to celebrate. This anticipation also makes the road ripe for dangerous situations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that as many as 42 percent of crashes on this day are related to drunken driving.
Christmas Season
Christmas on its own isn’t terribly busy on the road. Many are spending the time indoors with their loved ones. That said, studies show the six days surrounding Christmas can be among the most dangerous for drivers. Many are in a rush to be home for the holidays, which increases chances of road rage and erratic driving. Add inclement weather where applicable, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
Thanksgiving
Not far behind Christmas, Thanksgiving takes the top spot of most statistics year after year as far as dangerous driving goes. According to AAA, well over 45 million Americans drive at least 50 miles away from home to see family and friends. With this many people on the road, it’s no mystery that this is one of the most dangerous days to drive.
Black Friday
Though it’s dwindled a bit in recent years due to many online shopping alternatives, Black Friday stands as one of the most hectic shopping days of the year. Millions of shoppers head to their local malls and big box stores to get bargains on hot ticket items. According to statistics pulled by Progressive Insurance Company, a recent two-year period showed a spike in parking lot accident claims of over 36 percent. There aren’t many fatalities, but these fender-benders cost Americans millions in combined repairs and increased insurance premiums.
New Year’s Day
There is a common misconception that New Year’s Eve is one of the deadliest days to drive. Surprisingly enough, it is New Year’s Day that causes most of the problems. On the first day of the year, many drivers take to the road after a long night of partying and ringing in the New Year. The National Safety Council reports that over 42 percent of traffic deaths were related to driving under the influence of alcohol.
The days on this list are meant to be days of celebration and festivities. It’s tragic then when the negligence of others causes others harm. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a traffic accident, contact an experienced, aggressive personal injury attorney. You may be eligible for the monetary compensation you deserve. Contact the personal injury lawyers at Andres, Berger & Tran today.
