Summer holidays can present a wonderful escape from the typical hustle and bustle of life. Whether driving to the beach or attending a barbeque, spending a few hours out on a Saturday never seems quite as inviting as it does on a sunny summer day. The summer season often brings with it longer daylight hours and better road conditions for traveling during the holidays. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to the higher volume of holiday travelers, including a significantly greater number of alcohol-impaired drivers, the number of automotive deaths during the summer months is almost double that of the rest of the year combined.1
Red-Light Violations Increase During Summer Holidays
One of the specific road risks that increases during the summer months is red-light violations. According to the National Coalition for Safer Roads, over 3.7 million drivers ran a red light last summer.2 During the summer season red-light violations peak throughout the high travel weekends of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
Teen Driving Brings Extra Risks During Summer Months
The presence of extra passengers and an increased number of drivers traveling unfamiliar routes pulling boats or campers creates additional risks during the summer holidays. One of the greatest reasons road risks and car accidents increase during the summer months is due to the influx of teenage drivers. Law enforcement officials often refer to the summer season as the “100 Deadliest Days” due to the number of teen driver fatalities.3 However, the influx of teen drivers puts everyone at risk. According to a study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost two-thirds of people who are either injured or killed in a crash are people other than the teenage driver. Statistics show that teen drivers who are traveling back and forth to work or social engagements are among the least experienced, but most distracted and dangerous drivers on the road. As a result, motor vehicle crashes have been the leading cause of death for drivers between the ages of 15-19 for the past 25 years.
Preventing Car Accidents and Protecting Your Rights
As the summer season continues, the different road risks including alcohol impaired drivers, increased moving violations at intersections, and the influx of inexperienced teen drivers will remain an ever-present challenge to driver safety. The best action to combat serious auto accidents during the summer holidays is prevention. Most accidents can be prevented if drivers sober up before getting behind the wheel, slow down, and focus on the road. If an accident does occur it is important for drivers to understand and protect their rights. This means consulting an attorney to determine if another driver is potentially liable, because of his or her negligent or reckless behavior when behind the wheel.
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you have been in an auto accident during the summer holidays, it is important to discuss the circumstances of the accident with a car accident attorney dedicated to helping victims of negligence or recklessness recover. It is during the initial stages after an auto accident that an experienced attorney can determine if another driver is liable for endangering and injuring other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians. An experienced auto accident attorney can help determine who is at fault and if the accident was the result of negligence on the part of a distracted driver. Contact an auto accident attorney for a free consultation at 314-735-8100.
References:
- http://www.bactrack.com/pages/the-most-dangerous-times-on-the-road
- http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/20/ncrs-summer-driving-idUSnPn87zyDZ+83+PRN20150520
- http://newsroom.aaa.com/2015/05/teen-drivers-put-everyone-risk/
