Auto collisions boom on the July Fourth
Most U.S. drivers believe the roads are more dangerous now than they were a year ago, Nationwide says.
A new survey from Nationwide shows more collision-based auto accidents happen during the Fourth of July than any other time during the summer.
Accidents peak highest over the holiday as vacationers clog U.S. roadways, according to the data.
When comparing driver perceptions from one year ago, Nationwide said surveyed consumers largely agree that driving has become more dangerous, with most citing an increase in aggressive and reckless behavior.
The survey showed 88% of consumers say people drive faster today, while 90% say drivers have become more aggressive.
At the same time, more than a third of consumers agree that driving is stressful, primarily because of reckless driving from others, traffic congestion and navigation challenges, Nationwide said.
Other driving stresses include calls or texts from friends and family members, having too much to do or running late, work responsibilities, and managing or attending activities for children.
Meanwhile, Nationwide said distractions for U.S. drivers are multiplying as a third of surveyed consumers say GPS and other navigational technologies have become a distraction alongside operating the radio and fielding work-related texts or emails.
When compared to driving on suburban or rural roadways, 54% of drivers from the survey say driving in cities or downtown areas is the most dangerous. Just 6% of the survey say driving in suburban areas is toughest, while 3% say driving in rural areas is the most risky.
Nearly half of all drivers say tight, curvy roads with limited visibility are the most dangerous when driving in rural areas, according to the data.
Other driving risks in rural areas include animals wandering in the road, speeding, poor road maintenance, navigating farm equipment, and dangerous passes on two-lane roads.
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