It’s summertime in Virginia. It’s a fantastic time to go outside and enjoy many of the things our state has to offer. Trips to the beach, barbecues, picnics, and camping are just a few of the things you can do to relax, unwind, and enjoy time with your family and friends. Unfortunately, summer is also the most dangerous season when it comes to driving.
Why do car accident rates rise during the summertime?
With the number of vehicles on the roadway exponentially higher, the overall number of car accidents also increases during the summer months. The three main contributors to summertime driving dangers are tourists, teenagers, and drunk drivers. By understanding why more car accidents happen during the summer, you can take measures to avoid them and ensure that you and your family have the safest summer possible.
If you were involved in a car accident, our experienced attorneys can review your claim for compensation and file a lawsuit on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers, give us a call at (833) 997-1774 or fill out the contact form on our website.
The Dangers of Summer Driving
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that the peak months for car accidents in Virginia are June, July, and August. Although it seems counterintuitive, data recently published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that the rate of fatal motor vehicle accidents increases by roughly 30% during the summer when compared to winter driving.
So, what makes summertime driving so hazardous?
More Inexperienced Drivers on the Roads
Since they are no longer corralled in classrooms, there are a lot more teen drivers on the roadway. By default, most teens have less driving experience than adults and have less practice in learning how to react in a dangerous or unexpected situation.
With their prefrontal cortexes still developing, teenagers process information using their amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with emotions. This means they tend to be impulsive and are more likely to take risks. In other words, teenagers are not properly equipped to make prudent and safe decisions.
This is one of the reasons why, throughout the United States, teen drivers are involved in an excessive number of vehicle collisions, particularly during the summer. Between May and August, an average of 8,000 car accidents involving teenagers take place in Virginia, resulting in about 29 deaths annually.
In an effort to minimize tragic teen accidents, Virginia law prohibits teens from driving between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Drivers who are under the age of 18 may only have one passenger under the age of 21 in the car with them.
There are additional steps you can take to keep your teenagers safe during the summer, such as:
- Talking to them about good driving habits, such as observing the speed limit.
- Reminding them of the dangers inherent in cell phone use and driving at night.
- Make sure your teen knows they can always call you for a safe ride rather than getting in the car with an intoxicated driver.
Tourists Who Are Unfamiliar With the Area
A lost driver is a dangerous driver, which means that another common summer driving hazard is that there are more people on the road who are unfamiliar with their surroundings. Not all cities have their traffic lights and road signs in the same place; some post them overhead while others are off to the side. Tourists are also not familiar with the local layout and may brake unexpectedly when they miss their turn, turn the wrong way down a one-way street, and might be distracted while trying to re-program their GPS.
While you can’t control another driver’s behavior, you can help assure your own safety by:
- Driving defensively
- Using your seat belt
- Being extra cautious at intersections by making sure no oncoming vehicles are going to run the red light or stop sign
A Dramatically Increased Number of Drunk Drivers
It’s no surprise that a lot of people start drinking early in the day, and often don’t realize just how much alcohol they have consumed. Although drunk drivers are a problem all year long, something about the summer causes many people to take a more relaxed attitude toward drinking. Combine that with more social outings and vacations, and alcohol consumption can quickly get out of control.
To avoid being involved in a drunk driving accident, you should:
- Select a responsible designated driver.
- If you can, avoid driving at night.
- Install a rideshare app on your phone, set up the account, and connect a payment method before you go out.
- If you are hosting a barbeque or party, restrict the amount of alcohol you purchase. Nobody needs to consume seven Long Island iced teas.
- If you plan to be walking or riding a bike, exercise extreme caution and try to be off the road once it gets dark.
Was Your Accident Caused by a Dangerous Driver?
If you were injured by a dangerous driver, working with a reputable law firm can help ensure that you receive the reliable legal advice and financial compensation you are entitled to for your damages.
The personal injury law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is located in Virginia Beach. Our Virginia car accident attorneys bring more than 40 years of experience in litigating personal injury cases to the table. To schedule your free consultation with one of our qualified lawyers, contact us today at (833) 997-1774.
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An experienced personal injury attorney with dual licensure in Virginia and North Carolina, Eric Washburn received a B.B.A. in Finance from James Madison University—initially worked in the information technology field before obtaining his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Once an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Danville, Va., Eric has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” Super Lawyer in Virginia since 2014.
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