Summertime Driving Dangers

Summer is the time we’re supposed to relax, but that might not be a good idea when you drive. Every time of year poses potential driving risks, and the summer has its unique mix. The last thing you want to do before reaching your destination, whether an office, lake cabin, or shoreline, is get into an accident.

You no longer face icy roads or many hours of darkness, but Mercury Insurance brings up this season’s menu of driving risks.

School is Out

School has ended, so kids and teens won’t spend their days in school. Many will be walking, riding bikes, on motorcycles, and driving vehicles. This increases the number of people you may strike with your car and young drivers who may hit yours.

Teen drivers are inexperienced and more likely to take risks, like using a smartphone while driving or speeding, compared to older drivers. While using personal communications devices while using public roads is illegal in Kentucky, that doesn’t stop it from happening.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reports the following:

• 7% of drivers 15 to 20 years old involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were reported as distracted, the largest share of any age group
• 39% of high school students reported in 2019 that they texted or emailed while driving in the prior month
• Those 18 to 24 years old who report using cell phones while driving also admit to speeding, ignoring red lights, and passing vehicles on the right
• Generally, teens understand that talking on a cell phone, texting, or using social media apps while driving is unsafe, but often do it anyway

During the summer, kids and teens may illegally ride dirt bikes on the road at high speeds. They may get to where they’re going on bicycles or walk to see their friends. Drivers must be on the lookout for these potential dangers.

Traffic Congestion

It’s the time of year when people drive to vacation or see family or friends, especially during holiday weekends. Summer is also the traditional time for road and highway maintenance and repair. Gasoline prices are lower than in previous years, making road trips less expensive. If you add these issues to the daily traffic flow, you may find yourself in a traffic jam.

Traffic may not be bumper-to-bumper, but full roads and highways force drivers to drive slower. That usually makes driving safer, but it also causes problems that result in accidents, including the following:

• Vehicles may overheat and break down, causing additional obstacles
• Some drivers become impatient, tailgate, weave in and out of lanes, and speed ahead at every opportunity to try to make up for lost time
• High heat, slow traffic, and inconsiderate drivers can be a recipe for road rage, which carries risks not only for accidents but shootings
• Distracted, bored, or fatigued drivers in backed-up traffic may not notice that the vehicles in front of them are slowing or stopping, causing rear-end collisions

If you’re not used to driving in such conditions, it’s a skill set you need to work on.

Vehicle Maintenance or Lack Thereof

Improperly maintained vehicles traveling long distances in extreme weather are bound to break down. Something failing at highway speeds, like a worn tire, can lead to lost control and a catastrophic accident. Other problems may result in the vehicle slowly grinding to a halt at a time when there’s low or no light or rain and in a dangerous place like an off-ramp, intersection, or curve.

You must drive reasonably safely to try to avoid disabled vehicles and drive a reasonably safe vehicle so it won’t become a problem. You may be negligent if you know your car may break down at any minute because you’re not maintaining it but driving it anyway.

Regularly maintain your vehicle, and if you have any concerns about taking a long trip, have your mechanic examine it. If your vehicle needs repairs to keep it safe you must have it done. Discuss your options with your mechanic if you can’t afford to have work done.

Weather Considerations

Extreme heat may cause dehydration and drowsiness, so you may feel fatigued much earlier than at other times of the year. Drink water while you drive and pull over if you can’t focus as well as you should.

Driving on a sunny day without sunglasses may be negligence if you can’t fully see what’s happening and cause an accident. Summer can be a time of heavy, unexpected rain. You need effective windshield wipers and tires that can maintain traction on wet roads.

Now that it’s hotter, you may discover your vehicle’s air conditioning doesn’t work as well as it should. Although it’s safer to drive with a dysfunctional air conditioner than tires that are barely keeping up, being comfortable while driving can help you focus on driving.

Talk To a Satterley & Kelley Car Accident Attorney Today

If you’re injured in a vehicle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys can protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve for the harm you suffer.

Call our Louisville office at 855-385-9532 to schedule a free initial consultation so we can discuss your accident, injuries, and legal options. If it’s more convenient, you can complete our online contact form.