Is Summer a Safer Time to Drive?

Richard Craig
SubmitYOURArticle.com
February 25, 2011

Richard Craig
http://www.accidentadvicehelpline.co.uk

Spring is in the air, it seems. It never gets tiring to realise that the nights are getting shorter, the temperature is rising and you can still see your hand in front of your face after 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

As the weather (hopefully) becomes warmer and fewer raindrops fall, the roads, physically speaking, will become safer. But this does not mean that accident rates will decrease. In fact, they may head in the opposite direction.

Many drivers become more negligent and complacent when the roads are grippier and visibility is better. The forethought and prescience they may have exercised over the winter period goes out the window and they're back to driving like they're Michael Schumacher.

The inherently greater safety of the conditions is offset by the correspondingly lower levels of caution exercised by the driver.

There also remains the threat of drivers being drunk. Longer hours of daylight mean more time to attend barbecues and parties and more time to imbibe alcohol.

Also, because it remains daylight for later, more people will also be on the road for a greater part of the day, increasing the risk of a collision between vehicles.

Therefore vigilance, as ever, is required at all times.

Don't speed: the temptation is always there, especially if drivers think they are more likely to get away with it in the drier conditions. Don't do it! There are more likely to be farm vehicles and farm animals around the next B-road corner, not to mention more bikers, pedestrians and cyclists.

It is not speed itself that kills: it is the lack of time to make a decision and take avoiding action that causes the accidents and associated injuries.

Don't drink and drive: Even one drink has an effect even if it will not necessarily carry any legal implications. So what's the point of having it? Stick to the soft drinks. Is it worth living with the consequences of half an hour's fun for your entire life?

Make sure your car is road legal: so that it is physically safer as well as just being certified fit for the road. If its brakes or tyres are worn or defective you stand a much greater chance of being involved in an accident.

Also, if you have had winter tyres fitted, it may soon be time to change them back!

In addition, remember that if your car is not roadworthy any insurance claim you may need to make in the event of an accident could be affected.

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