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These 4 factors make summertime driving dangerous

On Behalf of | Jul 7, 2020 | Firm News

Every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle, you have some risk of sustaining a serious injury in an accident. After all, of the more than 128,000 car crashes that occurred in the Old Dominion in 2019, nearly 42,000 resulted in an injury to someone.

If you are like most drivers, you hate driving in snow, sleet or rain. While wintertime driving certainly has its hazards, the summer is not without its own risks. In fact, AAA calls the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day the 100 deadliest days to be on the road. Here are four factors that may make summertime driving dangerous.

1. Tire blowouts

Northern Virginia has some notoriously hot summers. While the air conditioning inside your vehicle keeps you cool and comfortable, the outside of your car may reach temperatures well above 100 degrees. Excess heat may cause the air in your car’s tires to expand. If your tires have a weak spot, expanding air may result in a potentially catastrophic blowout.

2. Inexperienced drivers

When school is not in session, you may encounter more inexperienced drivers. These include both teenagers and out-of-town tourists. Sharing the road with these drivers can be dangerous, as they may lack the skills necessary to manage inclement weather or navigate complex roadways.

3. Road construction

While you may encounter road construction throughout the year, it is increasingly common during warm summer months. Regardless, construction zones can be hazardous for drivers for a few reasons. These include the following:

  • Altered traffic patterns
  • Reduced speed limits
  • Damaged roadways
  • Unpredictable movement of construction vehicles and workers

4. Motorcycles

During cooler winter months, many motorcycle riders park their bikes. As temperatures climb, an increase in motorcycle traffic may endanger both drivers and riders. That is, if motorists do not expect to encounter motorcycle riders, a serious collision may be imminent.

Whether you are a motorcyclist or a driver, you must recognize the risk of having more bikes on the road. While you can boost your odds of staying safe by looking twice before changing lanes or making other maneuvers, you must also work to manage the other risks of summertime driving.