Driving during rush hour is all but inevitable for many people. First-shift professionals and even those in second or third-shift jobs may need to be on the road during the afternoon rush hour. Parents who drive their children to school and extracurricular activities likely also find themselves on the road during rush hour at least occasionally.
According to the National Safety Council, weekday afternoons between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. are some of the most dangerous times to be in traffic. Motorists may need to use extra care during the afternoon rush hour to reduce their risk of a major motor vehicle collision.
What factors contribute to higher crash rates during the afternoon rush hour?
Overall traffic density
The more vehicles there are on the road, the greater the chances of a crash occurring. During times of heavy traffic, including the afternoon rush hour, drivers become more aggressive. They may leave less space between vehicles, increasing the possibility of a crash when traffic conditions change.
Afternoon fatigue
Exhaustion can affect driving capabilities. Motorists who haven’t had adequate rest are at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Even if a driver stays awake, they could be at risk of causing a crash because of an afternoon slump in energy. Fatigued drivers struggle to focus their attention and respond quickly to changing traffic conditions. Particularly for first-shift professionals, the afternoon rush hour coincides with when they may have a natural drop in energy.
Drunk drivers
Drunk driving collisions are a safety risk at any time, but sometimes there are more drunk people on the road. Those traveling during the afternoon rush hour may encounter people who stopped off at happy hour on their way home from work in traffic.
Distracted drivers
Professionals on their way home from work may have incoming messages from coworkers, supervisors or clients. They may also want to communicate with friends and family about their plans for the evening. Those taking their children to extracurricular activities or transporting them home after school may also face distraction from digital devices and their child passengers. Distracted drivers in heavy traffic can easily cause preventable crashes.
Road rage
Traffic jams are one of the most common triggers for road rage incidents. Drivers who are eager to get home after work can lose their cool if traffic slows them down.
Recognizing that there are unique hazards on the road at different times can help motorists enhance their overall safety. Those involved in preventable car crashes may need help determining who is at fault to pursue compensation from the right party, and that’s okay. Those involved in an afternoon rush hour crash may have the option of filing an insurance claim or possibly even a lawsuit against the driver who caused the wreck.