100 Most Dangerous Days

Happy Memorial Day! In addition to firing up the BBQ or heading to the ball game (like I am tonight for the Mariners and Red Sox), you should keep one item in the back of your mind for the next few months.

Starting today and running through Labor Day are the 100 most dangerous days to drive for Americans. Pretty sobering thought to bring up on a holiday, but that's what we risk managers do. Why are the next 100 days so dangerous? You probably know most of the answers...

1. Speaking of sober, you guessed it - too much drinking and driving. All those summer, graduation, and wedding parties add up to too much alcohol on the road.
2. All those teenagers and college students are on the road again. Usually driving way too fast!
3. Vacation time means more people on the road. Unfortunately, when we as a society head for a break, we are usually in a hurry to get there. So we drive fast and are impatient. A bad combination behind the wheel.
4. We are in too much of a hurry. In our fast-paced world, it all has to happen now. We tend to be late all the time and trying to make up time.
5. Distracted driving. Cell phones, eating and drinking, reading the newspaper (you've all seen it), and other distractions are making us less focused. This happens all year round but can be exacerbated during summer.

Add to it that a consequence of many of these is the growing concern of Road Rage. When you mix all these factors together, you can see how dangerous it is every time you get behind the wheel.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe this summer...

• Leave early - wherever you are headed, give yourself plenty of time. Many of our accidents happen because we are trying to make up time.
• Don't get involved with an aggressive driver. Let them pass, don't make eye contact and don't stop. If they follow you, drive to a public place - never drive home.
• Don't drink and drive. Enough said!
• Avoid distractions like cell phones and eating in the car. There's too much to keep your mind occupied as it is.
• Be a defensive driver. Pay attention and don't make it a competition.

Whether its for work or pleasure, make sure you are safe not only these next 100 days, but always!

Dan