Car Accidents: The Most Dangerous Driving Times

Car Accidents: The Most Dangerous Times and Days of the Week

Getting behind the wheel of a car is the riskiest thing most people do every day. In 2014, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 32,675 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roadways. An additional 2.3 million people were injured in crashes in 2014. The dangers you face while driving varies, and there are several reasons why car accidents are so dangerous, including the time of day, simple distractions, or even unsafe behavior while driving.

The time of day.

The time of day plays an important role in evaluating fatal crashes. Driving at night can be very dangerous, as the instances of drunk driving, speeding, and driving without a seat belt all significantly increase at night, and each contributes directly to increased fatality rates. In 2013, the highest percentage of motor vehicle accident deaths occurred between the hours of 3:00 p.m. to midnight, with 16% of these accidents occurring between 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Days of the week.

Mid-week days, like Tuesday and Wednesday, pose the lowest number of fatalities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, weekends—when the greatest number of people are on the road—predictably see the highest numbers of crash victims, with a combined average of 143 deaths for Saturday and Sunday.

Safe driving: the do’s and don’ts.

While not an exhaustive list, here are a few do’s and don’ts for safe driving.

The Do’s:

• Always wear your seat belt
• Keep children in tested and approved car seats
• Follow the speed limits
• Pay attention when you are driving; a number of accidents happen only blocks from home
• Be courteous toward other drivers
• Give pedestrians the right-of-way in crosswalks
• Make room for bicycles

The Don’ts

• Don’t drink and drive or get in a car with a driver who has
• Don’t make assumptions about what other drivers are going to do
• Don’t assume other cars know what you are doing
• Don’t tailgate other cars, pass on shoulders, fail to yield, run stoplights or stop signs
• Don’t talk on your cell phone at the same time
• Don’t engage in other activities while driving that distract your attention or reduce your reaction time

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is important to talk to an attorney immediately. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Cordova are experienced in injuries arising from car accidents.