Summer months see increase in car crashes

Many may think that Colorado winters, with their ice and snow-slicked roads, are the most dangerous time to be on the road, but this is simply not true. The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day sees the most fatal car accidents, more than any other time of the year. Recent years have seen a 20% increase in fatalities during this time. Thirty-one percent of fatalities that took place in the state in 2017 took place during the 100 days of summer.

Ninety-four percent of crashes are caused by someone else’s negligence. Whether a driver is distracted, speeding, or impaired, unsafe actions have the potential to end the lives of other people on the road. The other important factor that ties in to the increase in crashes is the number of vehicles on the road, many of them tourists who are unfamiliar with the mountainous terrain.

Not only are there more adult drivers, there are more teens on the streets as well. Their inexperience is one of the main reasons they are over-represented in the fatality data. Although there are a number of specials laws for teen drivers, many teens are not aware of these rules, which is why parents should take time to explain the regulations and what they mean.

Another factor that contributes to traffic-related fatalities are the number of motorcycles on the road. Considered the most vulnerable population on the road, they are more prone to suffer catastrophic injuries because they do not have any protection in case of a crash. Although motorcycles account for only 3% of vehicles on the road, they account for 20% of the fatalities.

Even if someone is engaging in very safe driving practices, it might not matter if other drivers are not driving responsibly. It can be frustrating to become injured or lose someone in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, however, there are legal options available for accident victims to pursue.

Category:

• Car Accidents