Although the summer season enables millions of Americans to enjoy the outdoors and go on vacation with their loved ones, it is also the time of year when the most car accidents tend to happen in the United States.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the summer and early fall are the most dangerous times of year to be behind the wheel-- with August and September being the highest.
The common dangers of summer driving include the following:
- Young drivers – With school out for the summer, that leaves more time for newly-licensed high schoolers and college students who don’t have a lot of experience operating a vehicle to be out and about—for longer periods of time throughout the day. Teenage drivers are often involved in distracted driving and drunk driving accidents.
- Vacationers – Whether they are embarking on a road trip or visiting relatives in Nassau County, many people will hit the road. As a consequence, the roads and highways become more congested and difficult to navigate. Moreover, visitors are often not familiar with their surroundings, which results in driving much slower.
- Construction – Construction crews want to get as much work done as possible before the cold, winter months come around. With roadway construction zones, there are often more closed traffic lanes, temporary signs or signals, detours, and other changes in ordinary driving conditions, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Bikers and cyclists – Warmer weather means an increase of bicycles and motorcycles on the road. Naturally, they add to congestion. Unfortunately, many motorists do not anticipate encountering bikers and cyclists, so they don’t look for them.
- Vehicle issues – The hot weather can do a number on your car. For instance, the air inside your tires expands with heat, putting you at risk for blowouts. Additionally, blasting your air conditioning can result in your engine overheating.
- Road rage – The combination of the heat and traffic can result in road rage and other unsafe driving practices.
Being aware of these common dangers can help you become a safer driver. However, if you have suffered an injury in a car accident caused by negligence in Nassau County, our skilled legal team at Foley Griffin can help you recover your entitled compensation.
For more information, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.