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Deadliest Days to Drive:
Insurance.com
April
22, 2008
Safe driving is no accident. As incentive for motorists to think
safety-first, consider this sobering data on drivers' deadliest days,
dates and times, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA).
Deadliest
Days of the Week To Drive
1. Saturday
2. Sunday
3. Friday
4. Thursday
5. Monday
6. Wednesday
7. Tuesday
Deadliest
Times of the Day to Drive
1. 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
2. 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
3. 9 p.m.-midnight
4. noon-3 p.m.
5. midnight-3 a.m.
6. 6 a.m.-9 a.m.
7. 9 a.m.-noon
8. 3 a.m.-6 a.m.
Four
Deadliest Days on Roadways
1. July 4
2. July 3
3. December 23
4. December 24
Three
Deadliest Days for Pedestrians
1. December 23
2. January 1
3. October 31
Data Source:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The safe-driving theme and NHTSA data resonate with insurance industry
insiders Brent Gregory, senior vice president of the American Safety
Council, in Orlando, Fla.; Mike Barry, director of media relations for
the Insurance Information Institute in New York; Dave Snyder and Jim
Whittle, both assistant general counsels with the American Insurance
Association in Washington, D.C.; and Lynn Knauf, director of personal
lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, in Des
Plaines, Illinois. Drivers should be especially alert during major
holiday periods, asserts Brent Gregory, senior vice president, the
American Safety Council, in Orlando, Fla. Says Gregory: "Motorists
should take extra precautions, particularly during the holiday periods
... Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Year's. Those seem to be among the deadliest days to drive according to
data that we've looked at. Be that as it may, motorists should always
practice safe driving no matter what the traffic conditions, 24-7.
Doing so can be a life saver, maybe your own." Visit Insurance.com for
more safe driving tips.
"If you want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto insurance costs,"
reports Mike Barry, director of media relations for the Insurance
Information Institute, "it would behoove you to exercise caution and
safe driving habits at all times, and to shop around for the best auto
insurance rates you can because it's a very competitive marketplace.
But we also caution drivers to be particularly alert on what the NHTSA
has found to be the deadliest dates, days of the week, and times to be
on America's roadways."
Knowing what the deadliest times of the day to drive is helpful, but
nothing replaces using common sense behind the wheel, according to Lynn
Knauf, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers
Association of America, of Des Plaines, Illinois. By common sense,
Knauf was alluding to ideas such as taking steps "to minimize your
chances of either causing an accident or being hit by another vehicle."
For starters, Knauf urges motorists to avoid driving during the most
dangerous times of the day and avoid unnecessary distractions.
"Circumstances often dictate when you get behind the wheel such as your
work commute," Knauf continues, "so it's easier said than done
selecting the time of day to drive. Be that as it may, when driving,"
she says, "focus on the road and don't talk on the cell phone, eat or
drink, read or send e-mails on your BlackBerry, or fiddle with the
radio. If you pay attention to your driving, you'll have a better
chance to avoid accidents, and if you avoid accidents, your auto
insurance rates should reflect that when your policy comes up for
renewal."
AIA Assistant General Counsel Jim Whittle focused on the issue of
alcohol consumption. "The higher the alcohol consumption, the greater
chance of erratic driving and accidents. The bottom line is motorists
always need to be cautious when driving regardless of time of day.
NHTSA statistics on highway injuries and death underscore the
continuing need for law enforcement manpower and resources to be
directed at these problems. Auto insurers are acutely interested in
making the roads safer for all of us. And safer roads are better for
drivers and auto insurance consumers."
AIA's Vice President and Assistant General Counsel Dave Snyder warned
that motorists "…are never safe. Defensive driving must be
practiced every hour of every day. Defensive driving would lead to
fewer accidents, and considering that driving safety record is one of
the primary rating factors in auto insurance it'll pay you to drive
sober, exercise caution and use your car's safety equipment such as
seatbelts."
Always remember that auto insurance is an essential part of driving,
and if the worst happens, you'll need coverage. Log on to
Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you will
be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance
providers - helping you find the cheapest auto insurance coverage for
your area and state.
Drive safely, everyone. [Insurance.com]
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