If someone asked you the most dangerous season of year to drive, what would your answer be? If you guess Fall, you would are correct. Fall is the most dangerous time of the year to drive, even more dangerous than winter. Not too many people realize it, but fall is the most dangerous season with a motorist’s risk of being involved in car accidents at its highest during these days.
Carfax recently announced that according to its data, it is autumn and not winter which is the deadliest season of the year for drivers. In fact, according to the data, more than 72% of Americans live in states like Georgia where fall is the deadliest season of the year with the highest number of auto accidents recorded.
There are a number of reasons why the risk of car accidents is greater during fall season compared to other times of the year, but the 3 biggest culprits of increased accident are:
Diminishing daylight: Fall means shorter days, and that means more driving in the dark, when drivers are twice as likely to have an accident as in daylight. The data indicated half of U.S. accidents happen in the dark, but those hours account for only 25% of travel.
Slick surfaces: Wet leaves brought down by storms can be as slippery as ice. Experts noted that braking on wet leaves can make a car travel more than twice as far as braking on a dry road.
Deer danger: Mating season for deer runs from October through December, and nearly half of deer crashes nationwide happen in just those three months. In addition, one study noted that deer-car collisions spike almost 16% in the week after the end of Daylight Saving Time because of the jump to an earlier sunset.
Avoid becoming a car accident statistic this Fall by following a few simple steps.
Safe speed is key to staying safe on the road during the season. Stay within safe speed limits, and ensure that you leave plenty of distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
Look out for deer on routes that see high populations of these animals such as rural areas and forest areas.
Make sure that your car is in peak condition. Check your tires regularly. The sudden dips in temperatures can lead to loss of air. Be particularly cautious when you travel on roads that are covered with wet leaves. These may look harmless, but can be very slippery. Wet leaves can also conceal possible dangers like potholes and road bumps.
You might find yourself staring into glare from the sun in the morning. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare and maintain optimum visibility.
If you have been injured in a car accident, give our lawyers a call at 770-214-2500 for a free consultation.
