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Many drivers relax when they are on the familiar roads near their homes. It is only natural to feel there is much less risk of a collision when you have used these streets many times before.
Unfortunately, research contradicts this widely held belief. Drivers may be more reckless when they are closer to home.
In this blog, we delve into the surprising statistics and reasons why you may be more susceptible to negligent behavior behind the wheel. We also provide tips on reducing your risk of a collision when you are close to home.
If you were injured in a collision close to home or anywhere else in Maryland, our experienced Maryland auto accident lawyers may be able to seek compensation for your damages, at no upfront cost. Crashes are often caused by driver negligence, which means you may be able to seek compensation for the damages caused by the crash.
We are ready to help you. Call us at: 410-297-0271.
There is substantial research on the frequency of car crashes happening close to drivers’ homes. A 2015 study from the Journal of Trauma Acute Care Surgery revealed the following:
This is in line with findings from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which found most crashes occur within a 25-mile radius of where drivers live.
These findings are especially interesting when you consider most peoples’ driving habits. Most people drive an average of 29.2 miles each day, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Not only do a lot of crashes happen close to home, but often within the first few minutes of a trip. A study done by Dolphin Technologies in 2020 revealed that:
Dolphin Technologies is a telematics device company. For the study, they looked at 3.2 million trips that involved 40,000 people. There were 1,986 crashes out of the 3.2 million trips.
The study also found an increase in crashes when trips lasted longer than 40 minutes. This might be because drivers are getting closer to home, so they relax.
These studies collectively highlight a critical but often overlooked aspect of road safety – the proximity to home is a key factor in negligent driving.
It might be easier to prevent near-home crashes if we could pinpoint one reason why they happen. However, there are several reasons for this phenomenon:
Drivers often feel overconfident in their ability to avoid a crash because they are in familiar territory. You could also say drivers let their guards down or have a false sense of security.
When drivers feel like there is little risk of a crash, they are more likely to allow themselves to get distracted. Some people may try to multitask instead of keeping their focus on driving. They may text, use smartphone apps, apply makeup or eat or drink while driving. These distractions often lead drivers to take one or both of their hands off the wheel or divert their concentration. Some drivers may become so engrossed in the music or podcast they are listening to that they are less prepared to respond if they run into unexpected danger.
When you drive in residential areas, you are more likely to be sharing the road with teenagers and other newer drivers. Teenagers are more prone to making bad decisions behind the wheel. If you are not paying attention, you might get into a crash with one of them. Even though the crash may be their fault, you might have been able to avoid it.
Complacency closer to home may tempt some drivers to ignore the rules of the road. They might not come to a complete stop at a traffic sign. They might forget to use a turn signal before changing lanes. Some drivers become impatient and tailgate other cars.
Some drivers who get involved in a crash may be returning home after being at work all day. Other drivers may be at the end of a long trip after a vacation. In these situations, drivers are more likely to be feeling road fatigue. When people are tired, they pay less attention to detail. In some cases, these drivers are much too tired and should not be out on the road.
Drivers who have long commutes may become tired from the drive itself. They may experience highway hypnosis and zone out because they are on a familiar route. While in this state, drivers are much less likely to notice danger ahead.
Drivers need to be more careful in residential areas for these and other reasons:
When drivers are on autopilot or distracted it becomes much harder to avoid a dangerous crash.
Unfortunately, some drivers get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If they are close to home, they may think they can make it home safely because of the short distance. Some near-home crashes are the result of both impairment and being too confident while driving in a familiar area.
While there is no way to avoid every crash, you can take steps to reduce your risk.
At The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl, we are committed to helping those injured in crashes caused by another driver’s negligence. If you are searching for legal assistance following a car crash, call us to learn more about how we may be able to help you.
We have been advocating for crash victims for decades and have a long history of recovering compensation, both in the courtroom and through insurance settlements.
Schedule a free legal consultation to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.
Experience matters. Call today. Phone: 410-297-0271.
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