As we move into the end of spring and look forward to summer, Florida weather will become irresistible – and many people will be hitting the road to the beach and other outdoor activities. Even though we are only four months into the year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports already report 100 thousand crashes this year alone. Fatal crashes have an uptick in the summer months, and you should know the reasons why in order to best avoid these dangers when on the road. Let’s take a look at the driving dangers that Floridians confront on a daily basis – especially in summer.
Driving Dangers During Florida Summers
While the summer months don’t double or triple the number of injuries and deaths on the road, there is a sizeable increase, especially compared to the gloomier Winter months.
- More People On The Road – The simple fact is that more people driving on the road leads to more accidents. Florida Summers are not everyone’s cup of tea, and it is common for vacationers to leave Florida during the swelteringly hot months only to return when the weather cools. However, the vacationers that do remain and visit, plus the residents who live here, definitely go out more during the summer. Whether swimming at the beach or fishing off a kayak, summer offers too many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors for people to ignore.
- Intense Heat – High heat can affect more than just our skin. Excessively high temperatures have been known to quicken the degradation of tires and cause them to blow out on the road. Furthermore, road surfaces subjected to high summer temperatures can reduce in quality, cracking or loosening under the heat of the Sun. Even if the heat isn’t affecting the road or cars, it can affect drivers. Anything that forces the attention of drivers away from their surroundings can cause accidents, and fiddling with the A/C or rolling down the windows are accidents waiting to happen.
- More Student and Teenage Drivers – Without the requirement to be in school 8 hours a day, teenagers and young people hit the road in force during the Summer months. Florida allows teenagers to get their learner’s permit at 15 and their license at 16, so kids who are only halfway through high school may be sharing the road with you. The Florida Department of Transportation’s most recent stats show that Florida teen drivers were involved in 60,000 accidents resulting in nearly 300 deaths in just a one-year period.
- Higher Levels of Driving Under the Influence – Unfortunately, the time of work, better weather, and overall fun attitude of Florida summers give some people the idea that they can party, drink, and drive without consequences. However, Floridians should be wary of drunk or impaired drivers at all times of the day in the Summer.
Despite the potential dangers on the road, most people must drive to commute to work and go about their daily lives. In Florida, the minimum insurance requirements for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) are set at only $10,000, and many accidents have costs above these limits.
Buying additional car insurance coverage, specifically to protect against uninsured reckless drivers, can be a lifesaver if you suffer from injuries or financial hardship following a major car accident this Summer.
If you would like to explore your options, contact a local insurance agent at Anderson & Associates Insurance Group for a free quote. Additional coverage is likely more affordable than you think and could save you from worrying about the future. We also provide comprehensive coverage to Sarasota and Bradenton area families. Auto, homeowner’s, health, or business insurance – we can help you get the insurance coverage you need.
