Most people do not get into car accidents every day, every month, or even every year. Yet people are more prone to get into accidents at certain times of the day, month, and year. Of course, weather conditions and other factors can increase the likelihood of being in an automobile accident as well.Below, note these particularly dangerous circumstances and, when possible, avoid them. Stay in and watch a good movie or read a good book; let others take their heightened chances.
Day of the Week: According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), Saturday has the highest total number of fatalities, with an average of 158 each Saturday. Also, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Saturday has the highest number of fatalities when compared as a percentage of cars on the road, averaging 1.2 deaths per 100 million drivers.
Month of the Year: August had the most total deaths on the road in 2008, a 1.1% decline from 2007, according to NHTSA data. A total of 3,612 people died that month in related accidents. NHTSA reports that when counted as fatalities per 100 million vehicles, August has a fatality rate of 1.42, an increase of 0.06 since 2007 and 0.10 points higher than September and June.
Day of the Year: July 4, Independence Day, historically has been the most dangerous day of the year to drive, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In 2007, 926 people were killed in auto accidents on July 4. Watch the fireworks from your own backyard; better yet, watch them on a big TV.
Holiday Weekend: When daily totals are averaged over a several day period surrounding any particular holiday, Thanksgiving is the deadliest holiday weekend on the road, according to 2007 NHTSA data. It is often the week when most people travel from home to home, whether that is down the block or across the country. And because Turkey Day is always on a Thursday, on the following Friday most people are either off from work or take that day off to extend their weekend. Be extra careful when you're full of turkey and stuffing.
Time of Day: According to the IIHS, an average of 6.6 people are killed between the hours of 5 P.M. and 6 P.M., and another 6.6 between the hours of 6 P.M. and 7 P.M. Those rates are the overall highest of any time during the day. In 2007, 14,055 people were killed in the 5 P.M. hour. But the hours between midnight and 4 A.M. have the highest number of fatalities when calculated as a percentage of the amount of people on the road, according to the AAA. During that time, statistically speaking, 5.87 per 100 million people on the road will be killed.
Talking on a Cellphone: A 2008 study from the AAA says using a cellphone while driving almost quadruples the risk of crashing. What's more, the risks that come with using a hands-free phone are just as high as those from holding a phone in your hand. In short, stop talking on the phone and concentrate on driving. It saves lives. In 2007, 6% of drivers nationwide were holding a cellphone to their ear at any given time during the day, according to the NHTSA. All told, more than 50% of drivers say they use a cellphone when driving, and one in seven admits to texting behind the wheel. These texting folk will no doubt end up with Darwin Awards.
Speeding: Well, this seems like a no brainer, but a full 32% of fatalities in 2006 were related directly to speeding, according to the NHTSA. The 2008-2009 Traffic Safety Culture winter report says that when travel speed increases by 1%, the injury crash rate increases by 2%, the serious injury crash rate increases by 3% and the fatal crash rate increases by 4%. Speed limits are there for good reasons.
Drinking and Driving: The NHTSA reports that more than 12,995 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2007, the most recent year with complete data. Alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was four times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%). The University of California Traffic Safety Center reports that rural roads have a disproportionate number of fatal crashes and, of those, a disproportionate share of those involving a drunk driver. You don't need me to say this but I will: "Drive Sober or Don't Drive at All!"
First Snowstorm of the Year: According to research from the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, the first snowy day of the year is substantially more dangerous for drivers than other snowy days in terms of fatalities. Fatal accidents were 14% more likely on the first snowy day of the season compared with subsequent ones, according to research compiled from 1975 to 2000. Fatal accidents were 7% less likely on snowy days on the whole, when compared with good-weather days. Oddly enough though, the chances of having a fender-bender, on the other hand, increased.
Not Wearing a Seatbelt: Fifty-five percent of traffic fatalities in 2006 did not wear a seatbelt, according to a 2008 report from the NHTSA. Seventy-one percent of those fatalities occurred between midnight and 3 A.M.
Help Is on the Way: While Aflac does not have car insurance, we do have great accident insurance, as well as hospitalization, and life insurance. For these to be beneficial, you will need to have the coverage in advance, so contact me as soon as you can and we'll get to work on protecting you and your family.
Some information here can be found on Forbes.com
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