Driving can be challenging and unpleasant during a New Jersey winter. Snow, ice, freezing rain and longer hours of darkness can raise the risk of collisions for those who venture out. As we head into summer, those who preferred not to drive too much over winter may be feeling much more confident to make trips by car.
While it is true that drivers don’t have to worry so much about bad weather or driving in the dark for the next few months, summer driving comes with its own set of hazards. In fact, there are more road deaths per month in summer than there are during winter.
Some common dangers
There are multiple things that help to explain the high traffic fatality rate over the summer. Here are some examples:
Young drivers: A lot more teens and college students are on the road this time of year than during the school year. The roads will therefore have more inexperienced drivers, and all it takes is one mistake to cause a crash.
Alcohol and drugs: People tend to go out more when the sun is out and the evenings are warmer. There are also more events taking place, from weddings to graduations to festivals and pool parties. Going out often includes alcohol, or for some, drugs such as marijuana. Then there are the people who increase their consumption because they are on vacation. Anyone who drinks or takes drugs and then drives has a higher risk of crashing than when they are sober.
If your increase in car use over the next few months ends badly due to another driver’s negligence, be sure to learn more about your options for compensation. It helps to have legal guidance.