Why driving your car in the summer is more dangerous than in the winter

You might imagine that the winter time is the most dangerous time for drivers. Especially in New England, and Altman & Altman’s home base of Cambridge and the Greater Boston Area, the thought of wintry storms causing whiteouts and freezing temperatures producing black ice conjures reasonable fear in many of us and absolutely causes deaths every year.

However, you may be surprised to find out that the most dangerous months to drive are actually the summer months – specifically June July and August – for a variety of reasons. Those months are actually responsible for 29 percent more fatalities than the most wintery months of December, January and February, according to a recent study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that examined 24 years of traffic accidents in America.

What makes summer driving more dangerous than winter driving?

There are many factors that contribute to car accidents, but some of the biggest reasons for traffic accidents increasing during the months where the weather is nicer and more predictable are as follows:

There are more people on the road

According to the NHTSA study, summer months lead to an approximately 20 percent increase in the number of total vehicles on the road at any given time. Simply put, more cars on the roadways lead to a higher probability of you becoming involved in an accident.

There are more young people on the road

Partially responsible for the uptick in the number of vehicles on the road is the number of students and young people on the road due to being on summer vacation and out of school. Younger drivers have less experience on the road and in control of their vehicles, which increases the likelihood of them being in serious accidents. Teenage drivers have the highest accident rate among any driving demographic.

Hotter temperatures lead to more tire incidents

While cold temperatures cause your tires to restrict and contract, hotter temperatures cause your tires to expand. With older tires and tires that have not been maintained, rapid expansion and the hot temperatures of asphalt during summer months can lead to an increased chance of a blowout, leading to serious accidents.

Summer time is construction time

When the weather gets nicer and asphalt plants open up, municipalities rush to get as much road construction done as possible. This work leads to road closures, detours and lane changes that can surprise motorists and cause congestion, leading to rear-end accidents and other crashes.

No matter what time of year, our attorneys are here to help

While we have outlined the risks associated with summer driving, these facts won’t change the reality that most people want to get out of their houses and go on road trips during the nicest months of the year – whether it’s to a different state or to the local beach. What is most important is that you drive safely and responsibly, no matter the weather.

Unfortunately, not every motorist takes the caution necessary to be a safe driver. Sometimes you can do everything right and still become the victim of another driver’s negligence. The professional attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP are here to help you when you are victimized on the road through the fault of someone else. We can help if somebody crashed into you because they were:

  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Driving at excessive speeds or ignoring traffic signals/road rules
  • Driving while distracted by a cell phone
  • Driving while excessively tired
  • Driving a malfunctioning vehicle, such as faulty brakes

These are just a few examples, but the only way to know for sure how Altman & Altman can help you following a vehicular accident is to call us and find out what we can do for your specific situation.

Contact us online or call for a free consultation to go over the details of your case today at 617-492-3000 or toll-free at 800-481-6199. We are available

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