What is the most dangerous time to go for a walk?
It’s finally warm enough for you and your family to plan routine walks around the neighborhood together. All winter you’ve all sluggishly sat around the TV claiming it was too cold to go outside. Well, now there are no excuses. Evening walks are about to be a scheduled staple for your family. The only thing left to do is pick a time after school and work when you’re all free. But when?
Is there an ideal timeframe to safely go for a walk?
Timeframes To Avoid
Since it is impossible to predict when an accident will happen, it’s hard to give an exact timeframe when pedestrian safety is guaranteed. However, based on data collected by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, the highest incidence of pedestrian accidents tend to occur between specific timeframes. Therefore, if you feel the need to go for a walk, it’s in your best interest to avoid going between these three time periods.
Twilight is by far the riskiest time to be a pedestrian. On average, 30% of all pedestrian accidents throughout the year occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the winter months and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. during the summer months.
Daybreak is the second most popular timeframe for pedestrian accidents. Nearly 20% of pedestrian accidents occur between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. during the winter and 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. in the summer.
The third timeframe in which you should avoid taking walks is just after midnight, between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. Ten to 20% of accidents (depending on the time of year) occur during this time because most bars close around 2 a.m.; between the increased chance of drivers being intoxicated and the hazards of driving at night, pedestrians have a much higher risk of not being noticed and thus being struck.
Evening strolls have become a staple for a lot of families over the years, especially during warm summer nights, despite the increased risks. Help protect your family by sharing this information with them, and let them know to take extra precautions if they have an overwhelming need to go for a nighttime walk.
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Need more information about pedestrian accidents, or have questions about a possible claim? Contact us for a free consultation; we’ll be happy to answer all of your concerns. Don’t put it off another day; call now.