Why the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are especially dangerous and how to keep your family safe from an Ohio personal injury attorney.
Written by Jami Oliver
It sounds like the title of a bad movie, but the “100 Deadliest Days” really is what traffic safety experts call the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Fatal car crashes increase by 29% during the summer months according to The National Highway Safety Administration and there are a few reasons why. Keep reading to learn why fatal accidents increase and some tips we’ve put together to help keep your whole family safe this summer.
Why Summer is Riskier
- More people on the road – with school being out, road trips and holiday travel, there is a natural increase in traffic on the road during the summer
- Teen drivers – unfortunately some of those summer drivers are teens. Usually sequestered away at school, they’re now on summer break with their mom’s car full of their friends and their freshly-issued license in their wallet
- Tourists – Part of summer travel includes drivers coming in from out of town that may not be familiar with your city’s streets and traffic patterns
- Construction – Construction barrels and new routes can make you feel like a tourist in your hometown. We live in Central Ohio, so it’s nothing new. Enough said about construction
- Drinking and driving – Summer is the official season of cookouts, pool parties, weddings, golf tournaments, graduations and countless other opportunities to raise a glass or two and celebrate. In addition to more people on the road, there is a higher occurrence of impaired people on the road
- Heat – If you’ve ever had the misfortune of having your AC go out, you know how miserable it can be to drive without it. High heat can make you drowsy while behind the wheel
More on Teens
According to the CDC, the age group most at risk of car accidents is people ages 16-19. Multiple studies have shown that the more teen passengers in the car the higher the risk as well. And when have you ever seen a teen by themselves?
Why are teens so risky on the road?
There are a few reasons teens are more likely to cause accidents and some of them can’t be helped. (more stats about teen drivers can be found HERE)
- Inexperience – Teens simply don’t have the same experience behind the wheel as adult drivers. They are less likely to recognize threats or may underestimate them. They also are more likely to take risks that more seasoned drivers would quickly evaluate and deem too dangerous.
- Distraction – music, phones and texts, friends, even a bump on the arm can be enough to pull a teen driver’s attention off the road
- Drinking and drugs – According to a study published in The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, teen drivers have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers at the same blood alcohol concentration (BAC), even at BAC levels below the legal limit for adults
- Seat belts – teens and young adults are less likely than other age groups to wear their seat belts
So how do you keep safe on the road this summer?
Bottom line: The best way to keep safe on the road this summer is the best way to keep safe all year long, actually. Read some simple safety tips below for a smooth road all summer long.
Don’t drink and drive – Ever. Period.Same goes for drugs.
Don’t get in the car with someone who has been drinking – see above
Limit distractions – Keep the music at a reasonable volume, put your phone on DND, have anything you might need to grab (sunglasses, wallet, water bottle) within easy reach
Talk to your teen(s) – Talk to any new or inexperienced drivers in your household about the increased risk on the road during this time. Make sure your teen has access to a ride share service or a trusted adult to call if they need a ride. Read more about helping teens practice safe driving HERE.
Be extra careful on weekends, evenings and holidays – knowing that there are more people out and about and possibly more impaired drivers on the road is the first step in practicing good road safety.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Oliver Law Office or its attorneys. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction, and you should consult a qualified attorney in your area for advice regarding your specific situation.
Jami S. Oliver, CEO & Founder of Oliver Law Office in Dublin, Ohio has been practicing injury law in Ohio since 1993 and has been recognized by her peers as a leading professional in the field of personal injury law. Her firm also handles cases related to trucking crashes, wrongful death, complex employment litigation, drug recalls, injuries from defective products and other serious injury matters. For a free personal injury or wrongful death case evaluation click HERE.
