An accident can occur at any time of the day or night. Most people understand that accidents do not care what time it is. However, there are specific times when accidents become more common.
Understanding when accidents happen can help drivers prepare for uncertain conditions.
Rush hour traffic
Most nonfatal and fatal accidents peak at about 4:00 p.m. until 7:59 p.m. During rush hour traffic, congestion can cause stop-and-go traffic. After a long day at work, the commute times may become more frustrating than during the morning commute and result in more aggressive driving. Rush hour traffic tends to involve more rear-end collisions.
Holidays and weekends
More people fill the streets over weekends and holidays. People tend to feel more relaxed and may let their guard down or practice more reckless driving. Likewise, people often drink when they gather to have a good time. Driving under the influence and fatigue from long trips contribute to weekend and holiday accidents.
Adverse weather
Accidents tend to happen the most when people cannot control their vehicles. During rain, snow, fog and ice, people have limited visibility and the slippery roads make it difficult to maintain traction on the road. Even cautious drivers may find themselves losing control in inclement weather.
Similarly to adverse weather, accidents also occur at night due to poor visibility. People may also find themselves tired or more distracted when driving after hours. When combined with bad weather, night driving is highly hazardous.
While there are specific times of day and year when accidents become more common, those who may find themselves most affected are novice drivers, like teenagers.