When commuters and weekend travelers converge on the nation’s roadways it adds up to the number one day of the week for accident claims.
Nationwide Insurance analyzed claims data from 2012 and found that Friday may be the most risky day to drive to work.
Its members having the highest average number of claims per day on Friday at 4,664. Wednesday came in second with an average of 4,197 claims, followed closely by Thursday, Monday and Tuesday.
“Regardless of when or where we drive, we all play a part in making our roads safer for each other,” Bill Windsor, associate vice president of safety at Nationwide Insurance, said in a statement. “Focus on the task at hand – driving – and resist the temptation of your cell phone by turning it off or avoiding reading your text messages and emails.”
According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, being rear-ended and rear-ending another vehicle are two of the most frequent types of crashes for both fleet drivers and the general population.
To avoid common collisions like rear-ending another car, NETS suggested focusing on:
• Following distance is key. Always leave at least three to four seconds of distance when following antoher vehicle. Increase that distance if the roads are wet or slippery.
• Scan ahead. Look down the road ahead for a distance of 8–10 seconds. In the city, that’s about one block and on the highway, it’s about 1/3 of a mile, four city blocks, or 1/2 of a kilometer.
• Keep the eyes moving. The drivers’ seat is a 360-degree environment, with potential hazards in front, behind and on all sides. Many fleet safety programs recommend a “full mirror sweep” every five to six seconds.
• Watch your speed. Higher speeds give less time to react to sudden moves by other drivers and the less time they have to respond.
• Be predictable. Avoid quick acceleration or sudden turns. Controlled, gradual maneuvers give other drivers more time to adjust.
• Give the brakes a break. If scanning ahead properly, drivers should only need to use 30 percent of full braking power for non-emergency braking situations. Anyone who finds themselves braking hard should increase their following distance.
• Look for mixed signals. Just as “body language” may contradict what a person is saying, when the “body” is that of a vehicle, it can also provide valuable information about a driver’s true intentions.
• Send the right signal. Experts recommend activating a turn signal for three to four seconds before changing lanes or making a turn.
