At every hour of every day, motorists pile onto the roadways, on their way to and from work, doing errands, or heading out to visit friends and family. Where there are motorists, sadly, there are also motor vehicle accidents. Accidents, however, do not occur at the same rate during the course of a day. With fluctuations on the number of motor vehicles on the road at any given moment, what time of day you drive can greatly increase or decrease the probability of being involved in an accident.
What is the Most Dangerous Time?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) findings, the most dangerous time to be on the road is between 6:00 pm and 8:59 pm, where the NHTSA found that 6,523 deaths occurred nationally during this three-hour time block. 6 pm to 8:59 pm made up a total of almost 20% of all traffic fatalities. Safest is the time between 3 am and 5:59 am, with 2,884 deaths nationally. This accounts for only about 8% of all traffic fatalities, lower than any other three-hour block. 6 pm to 8:59 pm may be the most dangerous time to drive because of a multitude of factors, such as:
- Sunset glare
- Darkness after sunset
- Tired drivers after work
- Drunk drivers returning from bars and restaurants
How Can I Stay Safe?
When driving in the most dangerous time period, staying safe involves mitigating risk factors. Keeping a pair of sunglasses within reach for the glare that occurs during sunset can help to increase visibility. As well, minimizing distractions while on the road is imperative. Silencing cellular devices, not texting while driving, and not interacting with a vehicle’s media console.
Have You Been in an Auto Accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident and aren’t sure what to do next, Nance Cacciatore can help you. Our experienced attorneys can work with you through the process and guide you through every step. Call us at 321-777-7777 or contact us through our website.
