Fall is the most dangerous season when it comes to car crashes according to Carfax. The vehicle history report provider says that most states have more car crashes in fall than in any other season and that it's the time of year when auto crashes occur most often where drivers live according it its data.
Carfax says 72% of U.S. drivers - roughly 170 million - live in states where Fall is the peak season for accident damage. It attributes this to three main reasons:
- 1. Diminishing Daylight: Fall means shorter days, and that means more driving in the dark, when drivers are twice as likely to have an accident as in daylight. Carfax says Half of U.S. accidents happen in the dark, but those hours account for only 25 percent of travel.
- 2. Slick Surfaces: Wet leaves brought down by storms can be as slippery as ice. Braking on wet leaves can make a car travel more than twice as far as braking on a dry road.
- 3. Deer Danger: Deer mating season runs from October-December, and Carfax says nearly half of deer crashes nationwide happen in just those three months. Carfax also cites one study that notes that deer-car collisions spike 16% in the week after the end of Daylight Saving Time in November because of the jump to an earlier sunset.
"CARFAX has the most accident and damage information, and sometimes that data can be surprising," said Faisal Hasan, General Manager for Data at CARFAX. "The change of seasons is a good time for drivers to see if any new recalls have been issued for their car."
All this said, Winter is also dangerous, especially in certain states. Researchers say 23% of drivers live in 5 states where Winter is worst for accidents: California, Florida, New Jersey, Louisiana and Vermont (a combined 54 million drivers.)
If you live in Nebraska and Oklahoma, Spring is the most dangerous driving season. And New Mexico drivers have the most car crashes in Summer.
Fall Safe Driving Tips
Carfax provides these safety tips.
- Slow Down: No matter what the season, speed is often a key factor in accidents. Bad weather adds to the danger factor. So give other drivers –and yourself – space so you have time to respond to sudden perils ahead of you.
- Keep your car maintained:
- Check tire pressure: Sudden temp drops make tires lose air quickly. Don't wait for a Tire Pressure Monitoring System alert; check tire pressure monthly.
- Put on winter tires: Cold weather can harden the rubber in standard tires, hurting traction. If you live in a frigid area, winter tires with special rubber compounds and tread patterns may be wise.
- Check your car's battery: Cold weather reduces a battery's power, and it could fail. If your mechanic finds that your battery is weak, have a new one installed.
- Check wiper fluid level: Slush from the road can be kicked up onto your windshield, making it hard to see. Carry an extra gallon in cold-weather months.
- Check wiper blades: If the rubber has cracked, your wipers may leave streaks. Wipe them down with Windex. If that doesn't work, install new blades.
- Carfax suggests using its Car Care service to track your car's service history: Make sure you get alerts for oil changes, brake pad replacement or tire treadwear. And get it all for free.
- Pack a winter survival kit: Be ready if you wind up stranded. A kit should have water, a blanket, an ice scraper, durable food items, road flares, a phone charger, a flashlight and first-aid supplies. Keep this kit in the car at all times.
Tips to avoid animals on the road
State Farm Insurance reports that most dangerous months for animal collisions are November, October and December, in that order. Here are its tips for avoiding animals on the road:
- Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and "wildlife crossing" signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water.
- Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on an animal in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.
- Don't swerve. If a car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.
- Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard.
- Remember peak season. Animal collisions happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season.
- Remember meal time. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.
- Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.
- Don't use a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work.
- Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.
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