Published on : 28 August 20193 min reading time
Skilful drivers can be surprised to learn that winter, with its poor visibility, slippery roads and slick intersections, is not the most dangerous driving season. Car owners think that bad winter roads are responsible for the majority of driving accidents and collisions but, in fact, it is during summer that injuries and fatalities increase.
People are more active in the summer and they travel by cars more often than in the winter, especially to distant recreational destinations, such as lakes and parks. In accordance with the statistics, July is the most dangerous month of the year for drivers of the USA and Canada, with the overall rate of road fatalities increasing every year by about 20%. Long weekends see high spikes in the number of people being injured or even killed on the road. As for severity of road injuries, it also has a tendency to go up in the summer. August is the busiest month for major road traumas, including severe head concussions, massive bruises, and serious injuries to internal organs and multiple body regions. Not all survive, with the rate of mortality to be the highest in young and inexperienced drivers.
The rise in road collisions and mortality rate is associated with risky behaviour, which is also more typical for young people and which increases in the summer time . Do you know that the leading cause of injury death among young population under the age of 24 is vehicle collisions? Fortunately, most of these injuries can be avoided by following safe driving practises and simple prevention strategies:
1. Never drive without a valid driver’s licence or not having completed the driving course appropriate for operating your vehicle.
2. Always drive sober. Remember that many of the drivers injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents are tested positively for alcohol or drugs.
3. Before driving, always make sure that the brakes of your car work safely. Also, do not postpone minor repairs and major maintenance routine of your vehicle. That would ensure the highest degree of safety while you are on the road.
4. No matter what the mode of transport, drivers and passengers should buckle up, including those sitting in the back of the vehicle. Wearing a seat belt decreases the risk of injury by three times. As many accidents happen close to home, experts recommend that you should buckle up and use correctly installed child seats even for short trips to a nearby grocery.
5. Do not use your cell phone or PDA while driving – that might distract your attention from the road and lead to an accident.
6. If you are using a two-wheeled means of transport, including a bicycle, never ride without a helmet. Consistent helmet use can decrease your risk of brain injury for as much as 90%! Helmets can turn otherwise serious or even deadly accidents into minor ones.
Emergency rooms do not need to advertise for business. Invest time to prepare for a safe trip, avoid alcohol while you are behind the wheel and use the appropriate personal protective gear to help make this summer a healthy and enjoyable driving season!