You’ll Be Surprised at The Most Dangerous State For Drivers!
In an earlier entry, we brought you the startling news that traffic fatalities were up more than 10% during the first part of 2016. In this issue, we’ll share information compiled by Instamotor that uses data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find the safest (and most dangerous) states for drivers as well as the most dangerous times and days to hit the roads.
Most Dangerous States for Driving
While it may be tempting to think that a densely populated state with lots of roads like New York would be the obvious guess for the most dangerous state to drive. But with about 26 deaths for every 100,000 residents, Wyoming lays claim to that unfortunate stat. Why Wyoming? Data has shown that rural roads are indeed, more dangerous – in spite of having less traffic – than those in big cities. Among the various reasons for that is the tendency of people to drive at higher speeds on rural roads and are also less likely to use their seatbelts there. Also, rural roads tend to be more narrow, are slow to be cleared during extreme weather conditions and often have deer, elk, and other wildlife crossing. The other most dangerous states for driving are:
- New Mexico
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- South Carolina
Safest Days and Times for Driving
No surprise here: Saturday is the day with the most fatal vehicle crashes. As for when the roads are safest, Tuesday had the lowest number of fatalities. Because there are fewer vehicles on the road, 3am – 5:59am is the safest time for driving. Coming in second was 9am – 11:59am, just after the morning rush hour. The most dangerous time for driving during the week is between 6pm – 8:59 pm for a host of reasons, including dealing with late afternoon and early evening glare from the sun.
How the Genders Differ
In our previous article, we shared numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that revealed reasons for men being twice as likely to be killed in auto accidents than women. Those reasons included tendencies to drive more aggressively, get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol and putting more miles on the vehicles than women. Looking at the crash data, the safest times of driving during the week (3am – 5:59am) was the same for both men and women. Turning to the weekend, there was a dramatic shift. The wee hours of Saturday and Sunday morning proved to be the deadliest for men while women tended to be more likely involved in an accident between noon and 6pm on Tuesdays.
Reduce Your Risks of Being in a Traffic Accident
Among the ways you can be proactive in reducing your chances of being injured on the road are:
- Always making sure everyone – including you and passengers in the back – are wearing seatbelts
- Avoiding cell phone use – even if you have a hands-free device
- Taking breaks during long trips to stay well-rested
- Selecting and relying upon a designated driver who has had no alcohol
Call The Oswalt Law Group if You’re Injured in an Auto Accident
If you’re injured in an auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, you have a right to expect and receive compensation. That’s why we urge you to get in touch with us here at The Oswalt Law Group. There’s never a charge for the initial consultation, so get in touch with us at 602-225-2222.