If there’s one thing that motorists here in Chicago know, it’s that traveling isn’t necessarily a quick and painless process. This is often why individuals use the rail system when they can. It doesn’t get you everywhere you need to be, so often you have no choice but to drive.
A few recent data analyses shed light on the days and times that are the most dangerous to be on the road.
“Rush hour” and weekends are the worst
Some data suggests that your risk for becoming entangled in a car crash is the highest at between 5:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m., which of course, corresponds with Chicago’s rush hour. Motorists are often tired after a long workday, and traffic is heavy during that time. That makes for a bad mix of circumstances that increase motorists’ crash risk.
However, according to research conducted by the National Safety Council, weekend nights (and early mornings) are when crashes are most likely to happen. The researchers broke days down into four-hour time frames and determined that the following were the most dangerous:
- Fridays and Saturdays between 8:00 p.m. and midnight
- Early Sunday morning from midnight to 4:00 a.m.
Fatigue, intoxication and visibility issues are likely factors contributing to motorists’ crashes during the above-referenced time frames.
How does this accident data impact you?
You can only be responsible for your own actions as a motorist, yet knowledge is power. Perhaps steering clear of the roads during the times above, if possible, can increase your safety risk. Remember that you have rights if another driver causes a crash. These include being entitled to potential compensation for any medical bills and other expenses that you incur.