Why are certain days or times more prone to dangerous driving and traffic deaths than others?
Safe driving is no accident, it happens when drivers practice a safety-first initiative and common sense decision making. For the millions of motorists who think accidents are random, uncontrollable events, consider these sobering statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on traffic fataliites that define the most dangerous driving days. A clear pattern has emerged over 25 years since the NHTSA has been tracking this data. The pattern proves that drivers, not weather or fate, control the number of traffic fatalities.
Safe driving is no accident, it happens when drivers practice a safety-first initiative and common sense decision making. For the millions of motorists who think accidents are random, uncontrollable events, consider these sobering statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on traffic fataliites that define the most dangerous driving days. A clear pattern has emerged over 25 years since the NHTSA has been tracking this data. The pattern proves that drivers, not weather or fate, control the number of traffic fatalities.
Top 10 Deadliest Days of the Year to Drive
Based on 25 years of reserach statistics
- July 4
- July 3
- Dec. 23
- Dec. 24
- Dec. 22
- Aug. 3
- Jan. 1
- Sept. 1
- Sept. 2
- Aug. 4
What do these dates mean? Drivers should be especially alert during major holiday periods, asserts Brent Gregory, senior vice president, the American Safety Council, in Orlando, Fla. Says Gregory: Motorists should take extra precautions, particularly during the holiday periods ... Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Those seem to be among the deadliest days to drive according to data that weve looked at. Be that as it may, motorists should always practice safe driving no matter what the traffic conditions, 24-7. Doing so can be a life saver, maybe your own. (Get safe-driving tips from www.insurance.com)
The deadliest days to drive aren't random. These are the days where high numbers of Americans are celebrating and then getting in cars either tired or intoxicated. These are the days when more people practice dangerous driving over a safety-first initiative.
Deadliest Days of the Week to Drive
Deadliest Times of the Day to Drive
Knowing the times of the day when dangerous driving is most likely to occur is a helpful consideration to reduce traffic deaths, but nothing replaces using common sense behind the wheel, according to Lynn Knauf, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, of Des Plaines, Ill.
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Friday
- Thursday
- Monday
- Wednesday
- Tuesday
Deadliest Times of the Day to Drive
- 3PM- 6PM
- 6PM- 9PM
- 9PM- Midnight
- Noon - 3PM
- Midnight - 3AM
Knowing the times of the day when dangerous driving is most likely to occur is a helpful consideration to reduce traffic deaths, but nothing replaces using common sense behind the wheel, according to Lynn Knauf, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, of Des Plaines, Ill.
By common sense, Knauf was alluding to ideas such as taking steps to minimize your chances of either causing an accident or being hit by another vehicle. This means not rushing home from work after a long, stressful day, which only contributes to the kind of dangerous driving that leads to traffic fatalities. The deadliest time to drive is between 3PM and 6PM, a clear indicator of how much care needs to be taken at the end of the day. Interestingly, the early morning rush hour seems to be safer than any other time of day.
For starters, Knauf urges motorists to avoid driving during the most dangerous times of the day and avoid unnecessary distractions. Circumstances often dictate when you get behind the wheel such as your work commute, Knauf continues, so its easier said than done selecting the time of day to drive. Be that as it may, when driving, she says, focus on the road and dont talk on the cell phone, eat or drink, read or send e-mails on your BlackBerry, or fiddle with the radio. If you pay attention to your driving, youll have a better chance to avoid accidents, and if you avoid accidents, your auto insurance rates should reflect that when your policy comes up for renewal.
The Most Important Tip
Traffic fatalities from dangerous driving have significantly decreased over the past 25 years, according to NHTSA. While traffic deaths are fewer today, trends for the most dangerous days and times to drive have remained fairly consistent. Do not drink and drive, or drive if fatigued. Wear your seat belt, always. In many cases, traffic fatalities could have been avoided by passengers and drivers wearing their seat belt.
Paying attention and driving carefully can save not just your life, but the lives of others.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Highway Crash Fatality and www.insurance.com.
For starters, Knauf urges motorists to avoid driving during the most dangerous times of the day and avoid unnecessary distractions. Circumstances often dictate when you get behind the wheel such as your work commute, Knauf continues, so its easier said than done selecting the time of day to drive. Be that as it may, when driving, she says, focus on the road and dont talk on the cell phone, eat or drink, read or send e-mails on your BlackBerry, or fiddle with the radio. If you pay attention to your driving, youll have a better chance to avoid accidents, and if you avoid accidents, your auto insurance rates should reflect that when your policy comes up for renewal.
The Most Important Tip
Traffic fatalities from dangerous driving have significantly decreased over the past 25 years, according to NHTSA. While traffic deaths are fewer today, trends for the most dangerous days and times to drive have remained fairly consistent. Do not drink and drive, or drive if fatigued. Wear your seat belt, always. In many cases, traffic fatalities could have been avoided by passengers and drivers wearing their seat belt.
Paying attention and driving carefully can save not just your life, but the lives of others.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Highway Crash Fatality and www.insurance.com.
