MARCH 6, 2023
Increased Car Accidents and Spring Break
Spring Break accidents on our roadways are inevitable. Over the years the Bull Attorneys have learned spring break is simply a dangerous time to be on the road. The highways of Kansas are always dangerous with Big Rigs, coupled with young drivers, bad weather, and lack of experience, the roadways will be fatal.
The United States Department of Transportation released new data on October 28, 2021. This study proved road fatalities spiked in the first half of 2021. The study can be viewed here Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities. This study identifies an increase in spring break car accidents.
Just how many deaths are there from Spring Break accidents?
This study reported that 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021. The NHTSA released its findings about behavioral research related to traffic fatalities from March 2020 through June 2021. The researchers found that speeding combined with a lack of seatbelt usage were the causes of deaths. Fatalities were up by 18.4% over 2020.
The data revealed by the Federal Highway Administration shows that miles traveled in the first half of 2021 increased by 13%. This is a total of 173.1 billion additional miles of roadway traffic during the spring break. More miles driven relates to more accidents and fatalities due to the volume of cars and trucks on the road.
Spring break accidents are on the rise.
Science Daily published an article entitled "Traffic fatalities spike during spring break". This article was published on March 18, 2015, by Professor Michael T. French. This article shows accident fatalities are up between the last week of February and the first week of April. The Professor confirms that not just students, but Florida residents as well. This study analyzed where students are known to head for spring break in Arizona, California, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The findings were that the weekly death toll in the spring break counties was 9.1% more than the rest of the year.
"Accidents for drivers under 25 were more common than for older drivers. Interestingly, this study did not find a higher incidence of intoxicated driving."Professor Michael T. French
What are the causes of the increase?
Increased Traffic: Spring break accidents stem from simply more cars and trucks on the road. This creates increased traffic, often a long distance from the school campus. Spring Break is a popular time for travel by young adults who lack sufficient driving experience.
The increase in traffic leads spring break adventurers to meet fatigued Big Rig truck drivers. These commercial vehicles are on the highways seven days a week, often driven by deadlines and incentives. The daily traffic ensures that students are more likely to come in contact with these dangerous tractor-trailers. You can learn more about fatigued Big Rig drivers by clicking here.
Factors leading to fatalities during Spring Break
Driver Fatigue: Younger drivers are inexperienced with long distances and this is not the time to test these skills. Carloads of students celebrating a well-deserved vacation can lead to distractions and often alcohol usage. Alcohol and driving never mix, and historically, this holiday is a heightened use. You can learn more in our DUI/DWI and driving section by clicking here. Spring break accidents involving alcohol also show a measurable lack of seatbelt usage in the vehicle.
These younger drivers headed back to school or home, are often tired after a week of celebrating. Fatigued drivers are likely to have a slower ability to perceive and react to hazardous road conditions.
When evaluating car accident lawyers, you need highly experienced trial attorneys. Our trial attorneys are compassionate counselors that care about you during this time of need. To learn more about the results we have obtained for our clients, see our results page here.
Negligence & Distracted Drivers: In the last 15 years, the US has experienced explosive growth in social media usage. Today's teens and young adults have a necessity to share their activities online at all times. Social sharing is a contributor to car accidents. During spring break, the good times are documented digitally with Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. These social media platforms all take the focus from the road. We cover distracted driving here, and you can learn more from this link.
Saving lives begin with making good decisions on and off the road
Getting rest before driving, choosing safe routes, and the best times to travel, will save lives. Following all the laws and rules of the road, saves lives. Paying attention, and hands-free mobile calls will keep drivers and passengers alert. Having the discipline to avoid social media will save lives. Understanding that increased traffic means more risk, driving with caution can save lives. Preparing young drivers for the risks of the road and these factors will save lives. Spring break accidents are tragic and often fatal.
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