As a driver in Maryland, you know that the roads can be hazardous at times. But some conditions are safer than others, one of those being the time of day. Being aware of more dangerous times on the road can help you intelligently manage your risks and stay safe.
During what times are accidents most common?
There are two times of day that increase the risk of car accidents – night time and evening rush hour.
By volume, most accidents take place between about 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. But it’s worth noting that this is also the time of day when most drivers are on the road.
However, even accounting for traffic volume, evening rush hour and nighttime are the times when most accidents happen. Night time in particular sees a spike in dangerous and fatal car accidents.
What causes these times to be more dangerous?
Two risk factors increase the risk of fatal accidents. The first is driving while intoxicated, and the second is driving while drowsy.
Since more people tend to be intoxicated in the evening and night and more people tend to be drowsy at night, this creates a combination of risk factors when driving during the night. Visibility is also worse during the night. Saturday night in particular is the most hazardous driving period of all, mostly because of intoxicated drivers.
To help you stay safe on the road, stay away from alcohol or any other sedatives, and make sure that you’re alert and well-rested while driving. A car accident can happen at any time of day, so driving safely and defensively is always a must.