40,231 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2017, reports the III. While this is a depressing statistic, we can use it to help spread awareness for why safer driving habits should be developed by everyone on the road.

Most Dangerous Times To Drive

While you might not be able to avoid driving during some of these time frames – especially when commuting to and from work – you can practice increased alertness and awareness and avoid the roads when possible.

• Rush Hour – According to BacTrack, most accidents occur between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays.
• At Night – Esurance reports that 31 percent of fatal accidents occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight in 2013.
• Holidays – BacTrack named the Fourth of July as the deadliest holiday for car accident fatalities. Other holidays notorious for fatalities caused by cars (for drivers, passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians) include Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and Black Wednesday. The period between Thanksgiving week and New Year’s Day is cited by many authorities as the most dangerous time of the year for car accident related injuries and fatalities, due to both impaired driving and increased travel.
• Summer Break – the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest days for teen drivers.

Most Dangerous Places to Drive

Most people have probably heard the fact that most car accidents happen close to home. It’s true!

• Within 25 Miles of Home – Esurance points out that this is probably due to the repetition, comfortability, and confidence that comes with driving through our own neighborhood.
• On Rural Roads – what might be less well known is that rural roads often account for more accidents than busy highways and urban roads. In 2013, nearly 3,000 more fatal car accidents happened on rural roads than on busy urban streets, according to NHTSA.

Most Dangerous Ways to Drive

We can all work together to help lower the statistics of car accident fatalities, including committing to simple safety habits, such as refusing to drive:

• Impaired/Under the Influence – Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes—that’s one person every 48 minutes in 2017, says NHTSA.
• Distracted – According to NHTSA, distracted driving such as texting, eating, or changing the radio accounted for 3,450 deaths in 2016 alone.
• Drowsy –  The CDC reports that drowsy driving was responsible for 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013.
• Without a Seatbelt – The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that a main reason drivers give for skipping on seat belts is that they’re only going a short distance. But short distances don’t at all erase the probability of an accident, and injuries and chance of death are significantly increased when seat belts aren’t worn.

If you’ve been injured a car accident or a loved one has been killed or injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, Heilman Law Group is here to compassionately guide you to getting the compensation you deserve and are entitled to under law. Don’t hesitate to call us at 601-914-1025 or contact us online. We want to help you during this difficult process, and we have your best possible outcome in mind.

Heilman Law Group, PA

Jackson Office

4266 I-55 North, Suite 106

Jackson, Mississippi 39211

Phone: 601-914-1025

Fax: 601-960-4200