Your Guide to Driving in a Roundabout
Driving in a roundabout can be confusing and sometimes dangerous if you aren't aware of the proper protocols. Read our guide.
Read more about Your Guide to Driving in a RoundaboutWhile we hear plenty about the dangers of winter driving, we often ignore the hazards that come with summertime driving. Statistics show summer is actually a riskier time to be on the road. The Insurance Information Institute shows the highest number of fatal car accidents occur in August. While summer offers some of the year’s best driving and weather, it’s important not to take it for granted.
Jose Alberto Ucles of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that several factors can increase summer dangers. Here’s a look at some common dangers of driving in the summer, and how to avoid them:
Cars aren’t the only culprits in increasing congestion on the road; Ucles says warmer weather also attracts more pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists.
“These road-users are more vulnerable because they do not have the protection of a car or truck,” he says. “Leave more distance between your car and motorcycles, as they are much lighter and can stop in much shorter distances.”
Studies have shown that more teenage driver deaths occur during summer months than any other time of the year. Because teen drivers are less experienced, they are more likely to be involved in accidents than any other age group. They are also the group of drivers most likely to text or use a cell phone while in a moving vehicle.
Investing in a safe driving course for your teen driver is a great way to make sure that they’re aware of the hazards and dangers around them. And, since the IIHS reports that most fatal accidents involving young drivers happen between 9 p.m. and midnight, it’s also a good idea to limit the amount of driving they do after 9 p.m. – particularly on the weekends.
Finally, Ucles reminds us emergency kits aren’t just for winter. Summer driving can cause a car to overheat or, as mentioned earlier, could result in blown-out tires. Rather than risk being at the mercy of strangers on the side of the road, the NHTSA recommends carrying the following items with you at all times:
As temperatures rise, so does the load factor on your vehicle. That’s the way it often works out, given our enthusiasm for hauling luggage, bikes and boats for that much-needed summer break. With the extra weight, be sure to keep in mind:
Driving responsibly is an important part of staying safe, but in the event of an accident, the right car insurance is key. Learn more about the benefits of Nationwide car insurance today.