Summertime is supposed to be a time to kick back, relax and enjoy a little slower pace of life. However, all this can disappear when you get behind the wheel of your car, as summer is also a notoriously dangerous time with regard to car accidents.
Before you head out on road trips, pack the family up for a picnic or leave the office early on a Friday afternoon, you should take some time to consider some of the common hazards that plague Kentucky drivers in the summer.
- Teen drivers: According to AAA, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is referred to as the “100 deadliest days” for teen drivers.
- Drowsy drivers: People who stay out later, take long road trips or spend more time in the hot sun can be at risk for getting drowsy behind the wheel.
- Drunk drivers: Drinking is common during summer weekends, evenings and holidays, and people who drink don’t always find a sober ride home.
- Mother Nature: Severe weather can create dangerous, scary driving conditions. Roads are slick, visibility may be poor and wind can blow debris onto roadways.
- Road construction: The delays, confusion and frustration caused by road construction can make drivers upset and take risks they might not have otherwise taken. Unexpected lane shifts and congestion can also contribute to crashes.
- Distracted drivers: Drivers may be more focused on sending texts, taking pictures or typing an address for a barbecue into the GPS than they are on driving.
- Drivers in unfamiliar places: Cross-country trips, weekends spent at the beach and visits to family in rural areas for the holidays can all put drivers on unfamiliar roads. Being lost, not knowing the speed limit or being unaccustomed to certain conditions can make drivers a danger to others.
Being aware of these common hazards this summer can hopefully help you avoid a serious accident. However, awareness can only go so far, and no matter how safe you are, you cannot control the actions of others. If you do get into an accident with a negligent, reckless driver, you can work with an attorney to file a legal claim seeking compensation.