Fact: You Are More Likely To Be In An Accident During Clear, Dry Weather
Many drivers plan their trips and commutes around what the weather is doing. Many are uncomfortable driving in snowy weather or icy road conditions and do their best to avoid their auto body shop. For most drivers, the thoughts of a snow-filled commute bring to mind serious car accidents and tragedies. But you may be surprised to find, that according to the PennDot’s 2011 “Pennsylvania Crash Facts & Statistics” report, snowy conditions are rated third in weather conditions in which accidents occur. In fact, for every 45 deaths on a snowy road, over one thousand occurred on roads that were clear and dry.
Pennsylvania Weather Related Accidents Courtesy of PA Department of Transportation
Possible Reasons Why There Are Less Accidents In Poor Weather
Drivers are more cautious…
One of the reasons used to explain the idea that snowy roads don’t often cause accidents is simple. When weather is bad and the roads are icy and wet, drivers tend to be extra careful. Roads that are dry and weather conditions that are clear may inspire a confidence in drivers that can cause them to be almost careless when driving, and this results in more accidents on the roadway. The conclusion that can be made here is that drivers should exercise the utmost caution no matter what the weather and roads are like, and that all drivers should be cautious when driving in order to save money on accident repair. Caution can keep a driver out of the hospital and a car out of the auto body shop for expensive repairs.
There are fewer cars on the roadways
The second reason that adverse conditions may not cause as many accidents is simply that there may not be as many cars on the road. When the weather conditions are negative, most drivers tend to stay home and put off their errands for other times. School and places of employment may be closed if the conditions are bad enough, leaving more people at home rather than out on the road. When this happens, it is less likely to have accidents occur because there are fewer cars on the road. Drivers not only exercise extreme caution when the roads are bad, but also only drive for the most absolute necessary reasons, in order to avoid driving on wet or icy roads and needing accident repair for their cars.
Throw In A Little Fog Mixed With Rain…
Studies done have shown that rain alone, or rain combined with fog, is more likely to cause a car accident than snow, sleet or freezing rain. The number of crashes more than doubles when rain or fog are introduced into the equation. Roads that are snowy or slushy are less likely than roads that are simply wet to cause car accidents, and therefore death related to car accidents.
What Does This All Mean?
What all the statistics come down to is that it is more important to drive safely in any condition than it is to stay off the road in certain conditions. Driving safely in rain or snow is safer than driving recklessly on dry roads. The most important part of avoiding car accidents and keeping your car out of the auto body shop is being a defensive driver and always being aware and alert. While many people feel they can escape car accidents and, in turn, accident repair on their car by staying home in adverse weather conditions, statistics say differently. The reality is simply that the best way to avoid a car accident is to drive safely at all times. Cautious drivers keep the roads safer no matter what the weather is like or what the road conditions are. Maybe if we all drove as cautious as we drive on snowy days the roadways would be just a little safer. Food for thought…
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