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6 Ways Warmer Weather Increases Your Risk of a Car Accident

two-lane traffic

Like us, you probably love it when the weather warms up and springtime arrives. No more waking up in the dark and driving home in the dark. No more time spent cranking up the heat in your car to get warm. No more threats of occasional ice, snow, or other nasty winter weather. But as the weather warms up, so does the number of situations that increase your risk of a car accident.

Here are 6 common warmer weather car accident risks to watch out for as you enjoy spring and summer.

  1. More sun glare. The sun will especially affect your driving in the early mornings and evenings when you commute to and from work. Many people soldier on through sun glare even though it’s literally blinding them, increasing the risk of a car crash or hitting a pedestrian. Consider wearing a quality pair of sunglasses, avoiding routes that directly face the sun, or altering the times you drive to avoid the early and late hours when the sun most blinds you.
  2. More people out and about. More vehicle traffic means more chance of accidents. When warmer weather hits, people like to get out—dining out, attending concerts and festivals, and going on vacation. That also means more reckless driving as people lose patience with heavy traffic or sometimes drive drunk. Stay aware of traffic patterns and congestion during peak event, festival, and vacation times, and watch out for reckless drivers.
  3. More teens on the road. Teens are inexperienced drivers, and they start to heavily populate the road in warmer weather as they head to the mall, the beach, and to parties at friends’ houses. Unfortunately, no teen driving curfew exists, so stay aware of other drivers during peak times when teens like to hang out such as weeknights and weekends.
  4. More pedestrians and bicyclists. Warmer weather brings out lots of pedestrians and bicyclists who share the road with you and also increase the amount of danger when you drive. From more pedestrians walking on city streets to bicyclists sharing heavily trafficked roads with cars, your risk of a deadly car accident increases if you’re not paying attention. Even if you’re in a hurry and impatient, take a deep breath and always err on the side of extreme caution when giving the right of way to any pedestrians and bicyclists.
  5. More construction. States like to get busy with construction in warmer weather. Construction causes abnormal changes in speed, changes typical lane paths, and increases danger when road crews close off shoulders or require workers to stand close to traffic. When you drive through construction, slow down and stay on high alert until you see the “End Road Work” sign.
  6. More wear and tear on your car. Depending on the age and quality of your car, warmer weather increases the risk of overheating, tire blowout, and engine problems related to sun and heat. Especially before summer hits, make sure your car’s oil, tires, engine, coolant, and air conditioning are in tip-top shape. A tire blowout or engine malfunction in the midst of heavy traffic can seriously endanger you, your family, and other people on the road.

By taking extra precautions, slowing down, and staying aware of both your surroundings and other drivers, you’ll more likely safely navigate through warmer weather while lessening your chances of a truck or car accident.

If you do wind up in a car accident that gets complicated quickly, ask for help. We’ll provide you a free consultation. We have offices in the following locations:

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