Streets, freeways, and highways are dangerous at any time of the year. When summer comes, it brings additional dangers to the road. Between the days of Memorial Day and Labor Day have seen such a consistent increase in car accidents and fatalities that they have earned the name of the “100 deadliest days of summer.”
Florida alone sees an average of 42 teenagers die in car crashes during this time. While the roads experience this trend of increased risks, drivers can take extra measures to ensure they are staying safe while driving.
Preventative action
What a person does before an accident can determine how well they survive an accident. Here are some steps any safe driver should take:
- Keep safety gear in your car – road flares, tire jacks, and first aid kits can make a considerable difference in what you can do to protect yourself and others after an accident. It is better to have these things and not need them than to need them and not have them.
- Do not speed – speeding on a road trip can cut hours off the total time, but is not worth the risk. Speeding eliminates the amount the reaction time a driver may need to avoid an accident, worsens the severity of the accident, and limits the control a driver has on their vehicle.
- Stay cautious in construction zones -road construction happens much more frequently during the summer and can come with many more road threats. Unseen workers on the road, falling debris, suddenly stopping vehicles, and construction equipment can cause severe accidents and injuries. Keep a sharp eye out for these extra dangers.
- Stay sober – beach parties, barbeques, and other summer gatherings contribute to increased drunk drivers. Do not be someone that adds to that statistic. If you have been drinking, ask a friend for a ride or hire a rideshare instead of getting behind the wheel.
Take a moment before getting behind the wheel and make sure that you are not doing anything that may endanger other drivers.
There are many ways to have fun in the summer, but it does not have to come at the cost of your safety.