According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records going back to 1994, the most dangerous month for driving is August, and Saturday is the most dangerous day of the week to drive.
Random Facts About the Month of August:
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- August is named for Julius Cesar’s grandnephew Augustus. The Roman Senate decided he should have a month named after him after he defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra, becoming emperor of Rome.
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- August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous “I have a dream” speech.
- August is the most dangerous month for driving. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that a total of 32,719 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 with the highest amount of crash deaths occurring in August (10%).
Why August and Saturdays are Considered the Most Dangerous for Driving:
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- The NHTSA believes August is the most dangerous month for driving because more people are out on the road driving more miles, for longer periods of time. School is out, so more students and teens are on the road. Also, more people are consuming alcohol and attending social events.
- The IIHS also reported that the day of the week with the greatest percentage of crash deaths was on Saturdays (18%), a day many people have off from work and school, resulting in more people on the roads.
Tips for Driving Safely:
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- Avoid distractions while driving. Texting while driving is especially dangerous, and is against the law in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
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- Don’t drive and drive! Drinking and driving was responsible for almost 10,000 deaths throughout the country in 2011 alone.
- Always use your seat belt. Seat belts help prevent injuries and save lives by preventing you from being tossed around the car, or even ejected from it. You can also be issued a ticket for failing to wear your seat belt in RI and MA.
Enjoy the rest of the summer – but most importantly, be safe and take your time getting places.
Sources:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety