Motor vehicles are both very convenient and very dangerous. Every trip to the store or commute into the office theoretically puts someone at risk of a crash that could leave them in the hospital or even cause their death. Most people acknowledge that risk and simply try to drive safely and responsibly to minimize their chances of experiencing a devastating collision.
Some people also engage in intentional harm reduction techniques, which essentially means that they intentionally take actions that can diminish their chance of being involved in a severe collision. Learning more about when, where and why car crashes occur can be a very valuable step for those hoping to minimize overall crash risk. For example, there are three times, in particular, when the possibility of a wreck is noticeably higher than usual.
Around major holidays
Although holidays are generally a time of celebration and socialization, they can sometimes turn tragic. Many major holidays, including the Fourth of July and New Year’s Day, have a marked increase in drunk driving fatalities associated with the day itself and the weekend right before or after the holiday.
After dark
On a day-to-day basis, the most dangerous time to be on the road is after the sun sets. Many of the worst crashes occur after dark or during transitional times of day even though people generally travel fewer Miles when it is darker outside. Reduced visibility, fatigue and drunk driving all factor into why nighttime driving is so dangerous.
The afternoon rush hour
Few times of day see more traffic on major roadways than the afternoon rush hour. As people head home from work, they may send text messages to family members and friends or get distracted by a last-minute email from a client. Some of those people will also stop off at happy hour for a drink. According to Federal crash statistics, the hours between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday each week are the most dangerous times to be on the road other than when it is dark.
Drivers don’t necessarily have to avoid the roads entirely during more dangerous times, but they can focus more on safety for their own protection. Learning more about trends regarding when, where and why crashes occur may help people better manage their personal risk level as a result.
