8 Causes of Summer Car Accidents

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There are a lot of bicycles on the road from spring through fall. The winter hiatus means that many cyclists and drivers have forgotten how to share the road amicably. Here are three things you can do to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

• Follow the instructions on the posted signs. They’ll warn you of changes to traffic patterns and let you know when you have entered and exited the work zone.


• Obey reduced speed limit signs. Speeding is a primary cause of accidents in work zones.


• Don’t tailgate. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in a work zone.


• Make sure to keep a reasonable distance from construction workers and equipment.


• Obey the flaggers. They have the same authority as a posted regulatory sign and help keep traffic moving smoothly.

• Check to make sure your car’s air conditioner is working well before taking a long trip.


• Let the hot air out of the car before you get in. Consider driving a short distance with all the windows down to thoroughly ventilate the interior before turning on the air conditioner.


• Plan your drives for times before and after the sun is in full force.


• Keep cold drinks in the car to keep your body temperature down and yourself well hydrated.


• Ensure your vehicle is well maintained. Excessive heat can damage batteries and tires, causing tire blowouts and other mechanical issues.

More people on the road and more hours in the day. Trips to the lake or beach, to a summer home, to go hiking, or just to visit friends and family are some of the reasons there are a lot more cars on the road during the summer. Those trips tend to last a lot longer, too, as people take advantage of the extended daylight.

This contributes to driver fatigue, which, according to the National Safety Council, causes about 328,000 crashes, 109,000 injuries, and 6,400 deaths annually

Make sure to keep an eye on your own fatigue when driving and take extra care in the evening hours, when you’ll want to be aware of other drivers who may not be at their peak alertness.

Summer break means student drivers are on the road much more often. Keep in mind that drivers up to age 20 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident. Stay alert and practice your defensive driving skills.

Walkers, joggers, groups of children, and tourists are usually out in force in the summer. Just a few years ago, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) survey found that pedestrian fatalities accounted for 17% of all traffic-related deaths. In fact, pedestrians are killed every two hours and injured every seven minutes. Since they may behave unpredictably, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure you leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the sidewalk.


• Keep an eye on crosswalks and on groups of people gathered on the street.


• Never go around a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. 


• Stop for people at a crosswalk; make eye contact with them to let them know you see them.


• Look before you turn – a pedestrian could step into the street before you fully see them.


• Take care when passing parked vehicles – children darting into traffic is a common hazard.


• Stay alert – avoid distracted driving.


• Be especially alert at night – almost three-quarters of pedestrian deaths occur between 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.

According to the NHTSA, a whopping 66% of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving. And according to CNN, there has been a 500% increase in reported incidents of road rage since 2013. Use these tips to help keep yourself out of harm’s way.

Summer is prime vacation time for most Americans. That means a lot more vehicles on the road, including slow-moving motorhomes and campers. And many of them are trying to navigate construction zones, congestion, long lines at toll booths and attractions, etc.

These longer road trips can be exhausting, leading to accidents caused by driver fatigue. Make sure you get enough rest before a long trip and take regular breaks from driving. Learn more about preparing for road trips.