There are several things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting into a motor vehicle collision. Obviously, you can avoid the big driving mistakes that cause so many crashes by being sober whenever you drive and avoiding distractions at the wheel.
You can also make changes to your driving habits to reduce your statistical likelihood of getting into a crash. People who understand the trends about when, how, where and why crashes occur will have an easier time avoiding one.
When you know the most dangerous times of day to be on the road, you can change your driving habits to make safety your number one priority.
After the sun sets
When it is dark outside, your risk for a crash is at its highest. According to data from the National Safety Council (NSC), the most dangerous time of day to be on the roads is at night.
When it is dark out, people may not see other vehicles or pedestrians. There may also be individuals trying to drive home while exhausted or after having had too much to drink.
The afternoon rush hour
The NSC also recognizes the time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. as one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. The afternoon commute home is when drivers may have a particularly high risk for a crash.
Most people can’t avoid driving in the afternoon or after the sun sets. However, you can make safety your top priority if you decide to drive during one of these higher-risk times of the day. Learning more about what causes motor vehicle collisions can help you avoid them and handle the situation better if you ever experienced a crash.