We are around a month into summertime here in Utah. For many, this is a praised time where we get a break from our famous winters. While others may be patiently waiting for the snow to come so, they can go skiing or snowmobiling. This is a time for vacations, barbeques, or even a time to take the boat out on our various lakes. However, it is not all fun and games; this is one of the most hazardous seasons to be on Utah’s roads and freeways.
At The Ault Firm, we stand behind automobile crashes victims in Salt Lake City, UT, year-round. We are well aware that the summer months can bring unfortunate yet mostly avoidable accidents for unhappy families. This especially happens when one party fails to uphold safe and alert driving while operating their vehicle. You may be asking yourself, “with all the snow and ice, why do more car accidents happen in the summer?”
The Threats of Summer Season Driving
Countless companies and government entities have compiled data on the risks of summertime driving. Although wintertime brings its unique potential dangers, more car accidents happen when the sun is out and shining. This is according to data provided by the Institute for Highway Safety and Security (IIHS).
Knowing the threats for motor vehicle mishaps enhance during the summer months, our group wanted to discuss what triggers a higher crash rate. We hope that by understanding these potential threats, we can all better avoid accidents in the future. Below are some of the main reasons that car crashes happen more in the summer.
There is more traffic.
The plain fact of the matter is that more people go out of the house during the warmer months. This undoubtedly implies getting out on the roadways for vacations, stay-cations, or even to go out for a night on the town. Residents of Utah tend to travel even more miles throughout the summer than any other time of year. This is surprising considering how many holidays the winter months require us to get together with family and friends.
In addition to simply more cars on the roads, we also see a group of vehicles and potential obstacles that you don’t see as commonly the rest of the year. This includes motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, recreational vehicles, and even people towing their boats out for the day on the lake. As any long-time resident of Salt Lake City, we know how much construction we have on the roads. These new traffic patterns can cause confusion and congestion, perhaps also leading to more traffic collisions.
Extra visitors to our home-state
Utah is a prominent location year-round, summer season and winter season alike. Our outstanding national parks and surrounding nature brings many people for a memorable sight-seeing adventure. These out of town drivers can substantially raise accident risks. As the data would lead us to conclude, visitors who aren’t acquainted with local roads, traffic regulations, or the neighborhood landscape are more likely to participate in dangerous driving behaviors. This can include but is not limited to things like:
- Unexpected turns or maneuvers as they follow their GPS and notice they have missed a turn.
- Rubber-necking or sight-seeing behind the wheel.
- Sidetracked or distracted driving such as talking with passengers, using the map application on their phone, and so forth.
- Unanticipated slowing or sudden stops.
Considering the number of travelers we get every summer, locals should take this into account when they go about their everyday lives. This means keeping a safe distance, anticipating unexpected moves, and being attentive behind the wheel.
Teenage and young adult drivers
There may never be a “good” season when it pertains to teenage drivers. With that being said, summertime is the most dangerous because many young people are out on summer break from school. There are more likely to have their friends and passengers; this leads to goofing around or showing off while driving.
As statistics show, teen drivers are responsible for approximately ten fatalities each day between the Memorial and Labor Day holidays. This is nearly 15% higher than any other time of the year. This time is known as the “100 Deadliest Days” due to the spike in personal injury-related claims and accidents. Below are a few reasons we see this increase in auto-accidents as it relates to teenagers.
- A higher number of inexperienced drivers on the road
- A higher percentage of drunk or intoxicated drivers
- More young people driving late at night
- Distracted driving, including talking, texting, and even eating food.
If you are the parent of a young motorist, it is a good idea to explain that danger levels boost in the summer. Even if your child is responsible behind the wheel, they should be aware of what dangerous driving looks like. They should also be mindful that the most dangerous drivers are other teenagers, so they should get used to giving them a wide bubble of space on the road.
What to do if you have been in an accident?
These are just some of the many reasons that more car accidents happen in June, July, and August. If you or a loved one has been injured, do not hesitate to call The Ault Firm at (801) 839-4411 to speak with a legal professional or schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
