Falling Leaves, Rising Accidents

As we bid farewell to summer, the arrival of autumn brings not only sweater weather and PSLs, but also a surprising statistic — it's the season known for having the most car accidents. Here's what you should know:


💥 Accident Myths Busted 🤯

• More than 72% of U.S. drivers (~170M) reside in states where Fall reports the highest number of accidents, challenging the common misconception that winter is the riskiest driving season.
• Only 23% of drivers find themselves in states where winter takes the cake for the most dangerous season, including CA, FL, NJ, LA, and VT.
• A few exceptions to these patterns exist. For example, NE and OK drivers face the most collisions in spring, while NM experiences its peak accident season during summer.


🍂 The Culprits 🦌

• Diminishing Daylight: With shorter days, there's more nighttime driving. Accidents are twice as likely to occur in the dark, even though these hours account for only 25% of travel.
• Slick Surfaces: Although those colorful, fallen leaves may look beautiful, they can also be hazardous. Especially after a rainstorm, wet leaves are like banana peels to your Mario Kart, which can often lead to hydroplaning and difficulty stopping.
• Deer Danger: Deer become more active and less cautious during their mating season, which runs from October through December. Nearly half of all deer crashes happen during these three months.


🛡️ Stay Safe Out There 🛡️

• Slow it down, yo! Speed is a major factor in most accidents, especially during these dicier upcoming seasons.
• Give yourself some breathing room. Increase the following distance between vehicles, especially in wet conditions.
• Regularly check and maintain your tires and battery as they can be negatively affected by the cooling temperatures.
• Light it up — make sure your headlights, taillights, and turn signals are all doing their job.
• Be extra alert during morning and evening hours when wildlife is most active. Keep in mind that deer often travel in small groups, so if you spot one on the road, others may follow.
• Keep essentials like water, blankets, and first-aid supplies in your car — you never know when you'll need 'em!
• Safety should be a top priority no matter the season, so be sure to wear your seat belt all year round.

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