Spring Break Can Mean Dangerous Roadways in Phoenix

Spring break is a wonderful time for students – a week long reprieve from classes to rest up or have some fun.

While spring break should be a joyful time, the months of March and April see an uptick in accident rates. In 2015, the Arizona Department of Transportation reported 10,521 accidents occurred in March putting the month fourth highest for crashes.

While many students may leave town for break, just as many stick around to soak in the Arizona sunshine. As students are not in class it is likely campuses will be filled with more pedestrians. Drivers should use extra caution around campus and be alert for students during times when the area is not typically busy.

The excitement of break can sometimes lead to poor decision-making. Some students may act recklessly and cause accidents that injure others simply because they take spring break a little too far. For example, a student speeding to the airport, or driving around with friends blaring music, can endanger others on the road. Given the fact that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in a collision, it is important for residents to be extra cautious during this time.

As the Phoenix area boasts sunshine and high temperatures throughout March and April, students from other universities may come to the area for their spring break. It is important for drivers to be aware of young drivers who may not be familiar with the area.

It is important for all students to remember safety always comes first.

As many spring break activities often involve alcohol, it is important for drivers, student or not, to remember drinking and driving is never an option. Alcohol related crashes accounted for 1/3 of all Arizona fatal crashes in 2015.

Drinking and drug use greatly decreases an individual’s reaction time and ability to think logically. Drinking and drug use are also major contributing factors to motor vehicle accidents. In 2015, there were almost 5,000 alcohol related crashes in Arizona resulting in 295 fatalities. Those drivers age 18-23 accounted for 20% of these alcohol related crashes.

While walking rather than driving is the better option, pedestrians need to exercise care as well. In Arizona, 38% of pedestrians killed in 2015 had been drinking while 10% appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Ten percent of those pedestrians injured in motor vehicle accidents in Arizona in 2015, were between the between the age of 20 and 24. Fifty-eight percent of those injured were male.

All of us at Abels & Annes, P.C. hope you and your loved ones enjoy the spring break season accident-free. However, if you or a loved one are injured it may be beneficial to discuss with an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in victims’ rights. Call us today at 602-819-5191 or contact us online for a free consultation to better understand your rights following an accident.

Prior Blog Entry:

Spring Training Brings Baseball, Traffic Accidents to Arizona, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published February 20, 2017.