PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 29, 2016 / We drive more in the summer but what really gets a boost is the number of traffic fatalities. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation states the summer months account for less than 23% of vehicle crashes each year but almost 30% of all deaths in vehicle accidents. Philadelphia car accident lawyer Rand Spear talks about some of the dangers of summer driving in a podcast available on YouTube.
Why the increase in fatalities? "School's out so essentially you have a lot more young, inexperienced drivers on the road. You really need a lot of patience this time of year. There's going to be crowds and traffic so you need to stay calm and stay alerted to avoid drivers who are noticeably agitated," accident attorney Spear suggests.
"A long day at the beach under the hot sun can really tire you out. Stay hydrated. Don't use alcohol to satisfy your thirst. It only increases your dehydration so keep plenty of water on hand to stay hydrated," Spear says, "Watch out and avoid drivers who are driving erratically."
"There are certain days and times when more accidents occur and drivers should be more vigilant. During the weekends the accident rate goes up. More crashes occur on Thursdays and Fridays but there are more deaths on Saturdays and Sundays which may be due to alcohol use," Spear says. He states that 49% of all alcohol-related crash deaths were due to crashes on the weekends.
"People are working during the week and then come the weekends they are drinking and unfortunately many get involved in accidents and cause fatalities. Three-quarters of alcohol-related crashes happen at night even though there are more crashes during the day."
"Communication is very important. Always plan a safe way home before the fun begins. Before you go out know how you're going to get home. Know whether you're going to consume alcohol or not, whether there's a designated driver or if you're sleeping over," says personal injury lawyer Spear. He suggests using a designated driver or public transportation.
Technology can help make the roads safer too. "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a mobile app SaferRide. It's got three simple buttons; either a get taxi, call a friend or see where you are," Spear says. Using that app can be a simple way to keep yourself and others safe.
If you're driving on the road and see another driver endangering others Spear suggests contacting police. "If you see a drunk driver on the road don't hesitate to call local law enforcement to let them know so they can be stopped before someone gets hurt. While you're at a party or you're with friends if you see someone that's drinking too much take their keys from them. Don't let them drink and drive," Spear suggests.
"We all need to be responsible. It's a problem that is really very big in our society. We all need to pay attention and participate in order for this problem to go away or at least be reduced."
If you or a family member live in Pennsylvania or New Jersey and have been injured in an accident this summer, contact Philadelphia car accident attorney Rand Spear today at 888-373-4LAW or through his website for a free consultation. You can discuss what happened, how the law may apply and your best options for obtaining compensation.
Press Contact:
Personal injury lawyer Rand Spear
888-373-4LAW
SOURCE: Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer via Submit Press Release 123