With the arrival of the July Fourth holiday, summer is now in full swing in North Carolina and across the country. Vacations, day trips, and long weekends mean that there are many more people on the roads. This often results in an increase in car accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Because of these increased risks, a nationwide program has been established, The 100 Deadliest Days, which focuses on raising awareness of the dangerous driving behaviors often practiced by teens, as well as safety tips that adult drivers should follow to protect themselves and others on the road and avoid being injured in a car crash.
According to national statistics, summer is the most dangerous time of year for serious and fatal car accidents. There are thousands of victims killed each year in crashes that occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. In addition to the increased number of travelers on the road, there are also more teenage drivers on the road because school is out for the summer. Unfortunately, many teenage drivers are also inexperienced.
The most common types of crashes that spike during the summer months include the following:
- Crashes caused by speeding and traveling too fast for road/weather conditions
- Crashes caused by distracted driving behaviors, such as texting and other cell phone use, changing GPS settings, eating, drinking, looking at the scenery around them
- Crashes caused by ignoring traffic signals and signs
- Crashes caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
North Carolina communities have taken many steps to help increase road safety, including providing better lighting, adding additional crosswalks, and changing road and traffic patterns to help eliminate traffic jams.
Steps that drivers can take to help reduce their risk of being involved in a crash include:
- Always buckle your seatbelt, no matter how short your trip is. Also, insist that your passengers also wear their seatbelts.
- Check traffic reports before heading out to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams.
- Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination so you are not feeling rushed.
- Use caution when driving in areas that you are unfamiliar with
- Make sure to get enough rest before embarking on any long road trips
- Avoid drinking any alcohol at all before driving. Also, make sure that any medications you may be on will not interfere with your driving abilities.
Contact an OBX Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a crash caused by a dangerous driver, contact a North Carolina car accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to find out how we can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Our firm has been advocating for victims and their families for more than three decades and will work diligently to get you the best possible outcome based on the circumstances of your case. It is essential for victims to remember that any civil lawsuit filed against the at-fault driver is separate from any criminal charges that the driver may be facing. Call our office today for a free and confidential case evaluation.