Does Reckless Driving Increase in Warmer Weather?

Danger on the roadways spikes on Memorial Day weekend, and it remains elevated all the way through Labor Day. Drivers act far more dangerously in the summer for a number of reasons. Motor vehicle fatality rates are elevated once the weather gets warmer. If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident involving reckless driving, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation for your injuries.

Increased Traffic Leads to Riskier Maneuvers

One of the major factors leading to more reckless driving is the presence of more vehicles on the roadway. With more traffic, drivers may execute dangerous maneuvers to help them move more quickly. They may aggressively tailgate or weave in and out of lanes to make their way around slower traffic. Driver impatience puts everyone on the road at risk.

More Teenage Drivers on the Road

Another reason why reckless driving increases in the summer is that there are more teenage drivers on the road. These motorists have more unsafe habits, and they lack the experience and judgment necessary to safely operate their vehicles. Roughly half of teenage motorist fatalities occur during the summer months. Teenage drivers are more likely to get behind the wheel when they are drunk or text when they are driving.

Drivers Are More Fatigued

The longer days during the summer have drivers trying to maximize their time to do activities. They may not sleep as much during the summer months because there is more to do outside of their home. Getting the proper amount of rest before driving is crucial. Fatigued driving can be every bit as dangerous as drunk driving. When a driver is fatigued, they are more of a danger, even if they do not fall asleep behind the wheel. Drowsy drivers have slower reflexes and worse judgment.

There Is More Drunk Driving

There are more holidays during the summer, which can lead to drunk driving. Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest periods for drivers. Similarly, drivers are also out and consuming alcohol during Independence Day and Labor Day.  According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the summer months have doubled the amount of drunk driving accidents as other times during the year. Nearly 30% of drunk driving fatalities occur during the summer months. Drivers have no choice but to be on the road in the summer months, even though there are more drunk drivers.

Speeding Is More Prevalent

Drivers may be in more of a hurry to get where they are going during the summer months. Better weather on the roadway can mean that drivers feel that they have more liberty to go faster. Reckless driving is when a motorist speeds excessively. If they are traveling 20 miles an hour or more over the speed limit, a driver is an extreme risk to other motorists and their passengers. Speeding is perhaps the most common cause of car accidents, and it is a factor in one out of every three car accident fatalities.

Motorists May Drive Distracted

There is much more going on during the summer months that can distract a driver from the roads. They may be on their phones trying to find information about various activities that they want to do, or alternatively, there may be other passengers in the car distracting the driver. All it takes is one brief moment of inattention to cause a serious accident because the driver does not see what is going on around them.

Contact the East St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm Today

The East St. Louis car accident lawyers at The Cates Law Firm are in your corner when you have been injured by the careless or reckless actions of another driver. We will aggressively fight for your legal right to receive full compensation for your injuries. All you need to do is call us today at 618-277-3644 or use our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. Our office is located in Swansea, Illinois, and we serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois. There is no fee unless you win your case.