#1 Car accidents
Drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in car crashes during the summer months than any other time during the year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
#2 More drivers on the road
The math is simple: The more vehicles there are on the roadways, the more likely you are to encounter traffic congestion, frustrated drivers, erratic driving behaviors, and other potential dangers.
#3 Higher numbers of teen drivers
Young drivers are relatively inexperienced and are more likely to be involved in a crash than any other age group. In fact, the period between Memorial Day and labor day is called the “100 Deadliest Days” because more than seven people a day are killed in crashes involving teen drivers.
#4 Road construction
No matter where you live or where you travel, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a dramatic increase in construction during the summertime. Construction alters traffic patterns, introduces much lower speed limits mid-route, and otherwise impacts the flow of traffic in ways that can be dangerous if other people on the road aren’t paying attention or don’t observe the posted rules.
#5 Excessive heat
We are very familiar with this danger in Arizona, but it’s certainly not unique to our state (especially this year, when record high temperatures have been felt across the country). Intense summer temperatures heat up roadways, which can cause tire blowouts, engine overheating and other vehicular equipment failures.
#6 In-car deaths from heatstroke
In 2019, 53 children died of vehicular heatstroke, an increase in the number of deaths in the last 20 years, says the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Never leave children or pets alone in a parked car; even if you leave the windows open, the in-vehicle temperature can escalate to deadly levels quickly, and a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than that of an adult.
#7 Monsoon storms
When our sizzling summer heat builds, powerful monsoons can drench our deserts, bring damaging winds, and dust storms. These storms come in suddenly and impact visibility on the roads, and the gusty winds have been known to even blow cars off their course.
#8 Road trips
Vacationers on the road can bring dangerous conditions if they are unfamiliar with their surroundings and sometimes either drive distracted or drive at high speeds. This summer in particular will see people hitting the roads in record numbers, including in RVs (which add another layer of risk due to their size and the relative inexperience of those who rent them).
#9 More motorcycles and bicycles on the road
Both motorcyclists and bicyclists have equal rights to the road, but bptj can be difficult to see and it can be difficult to judge their movement patterns. The number of motorcycles on the road has increased in recent years, and warmer months bring more motorcyclists. Cycling, as well, has seen a resurgence (especially since the pandemic), and cyclists are at a disadvantage compared to the heavy vehicles with which they share the road.
#10 Animals on the move
Higher than average wildlife-related crashes happen in the summer months in Arizona, as animals travel farther distances for water and food. Crashes with livestock are the next most common. The Arizona Department of Transportation urges drivers to be aware of signs indicating where wildlife crossings are likely to occur and to pay attention.
