With the college 12 months coming to an finish, Aviva is urging drivers to take warning when driving this summer season.
The warning comes as motor claims knowledge from January-December 2023 reveals the most typical instances for a collision in the course of the faculty holidays. In accordance with the information, collisions sometimes peak throughout lunch hours, with Saturday from 1-2pm rating prime, intently adopted by Friday from 12-1pm and Saturday from 12-1pm.
The highest 5 instances of day with the best variety of collisions
| Rank | Time of Day |
| 1 | Saturday, 1 – 2pm |
| 2 | Friday, 12 – 1pm |
| 3 | Saturday, 12 – 1pm |
| 4 | Monday, 11am – 12pm |
| 5 | Monday, 3 – 4pm |
Martin Smith, Motor Claims Supervisor at Aviva, says: “Though weekends are sometimes a time for stress-free, our analysis reveals that Saturday brunch appears to be the most typical time for a collision in the course of the summer season holidays.
“Though it’s arduous to pinpoint precisely why that is the case, one clarification may very well be that drivers are dashing to get to their vacation spot, be it an area staycation, tenting retreats, youngsters’s vacation golf equipment or outside actions.
“Driving throughout faculty holidays could really feel overwhelming and paired with a rise of individuals on the roads extra typically, it could possibly create an ideal storm for a collision.
“We’d urge drivers to be ready, take away all distractions, and all the time observe the pace restrict. Small adjustments – resembling planning a journey beforehand – could make the world of distinction in terms of driving extra safely.”
Aviva’s prime recommendations on driving safely this summer season embody
- Plan your route. Earlier than setting off, take the time to plan your route and consider any stops chances are you’ll must make, whether or not it’s for consolation or to cost your automotive. When you’re on an extended journey, stopping commonly will help forestall driver fatigue. Tuning into your native radio station beforehand may even assist keep away from any congested areas and last-minute diversions.
- Pack an emergency equipment in case you break down. Preparation is essential. Helpful issues to maintain in your automotive embody a warning triangle, torch and batteries, cell phone and charger, breakdown membership card and tow rope, thick cardboard, or materials (for traction), outside garments and sun shades (for glare) in addition to a shovel and a blanket.
- Verify your car. It’s good apply to bodily examine issues like tyres, lights, windscreen wipers, oil, brakes and coolant ranges earlier than you permit – particularly when you’re planning to drive additional afield. A five-minute test may forestall you from both breaking down or having a possible driving incident/accident.
- Take away distractions. Take into consideration what may distract you whereas behind the wheel. Swap your telephone to ‘don’t disturb’ to keep away from any notifications distracting you when you drive and when you’re taking any pets with you, be sure to fasten them in. Beneath Rule 57 of the Freeway Code, drivers should guarantee that canines or different animals are suitably restrained so they can’t distract or injure themselves whereas driving and within the occasion of a sudden cease. In accordance with the principles ‘seat belt harness, pet service, canine cage or canine guard are methods of restraining animals in automobiles.’
- Don’t overpack your automotive. Consider carefully about what you’re packing and whether or not it’s important on your journey. Overloading your automotive can put a pressure on the tyres, suspension, and brakes, and never solely is it towards the legislation, chances are you’ll be unable to make a declare in your insurance coverage when you have been discovered to have overloaded your car. Be sure any roof containers or bike racks are securely mounted too.
Extra info on the analysis could be discovered right here: https://www.aviva.co.uk/insurance coverage/motor/car-insurance/knowledge-centre/school-holidays-accidents/
