Frost on the road surface can make cars more slippery and motorists have to be fully aware at all times to avoid collisions. However, government data recently analysed by Zero Deposit Car Leasing has revealed it is statistically more likely to suffer an accident which will cause fatal or serious injuries in the summer rather than the winter in a stunning revelation.
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The data has revealed there were 6,290 accidents which involved a fatality or serious injuries between July and September 2015 compared to just 5,890 between January and March 2016.
The figures reveal car crashes can happen at any time and motorists are urged to take caution when on a long journey.
Tom Preston, Managing Director of Zero Deposit Car Leasing said: “These statistics are surprising, and any drivers concerned about being on the road this winter, with reports of it being the worst in 50 years, shouldn’t worry.
“The worst season for road accidents is actually the summer because of the hazards around at that time of year, as well as people’s attitude to driving.”
Further statistics from Wunelli shows aggressive driving increases during the summer which in turn can lead to more car crashes.
The data set revealed incidents of harsh braking increased by 30 percent in warmer conditions as motorway speeding also rose by 25 percent.
Speeding on local roads was also up by seven percent as the data also showed warm summer evenings saw a rise in evening journeys.
Wunelli’s survey found two-thirds of motorists scored better on black box telemetry tests in the winter months compared to summer.
The increase in summer incidents could be partly down to sun glare which is said to cause almost 3,000 car crashes each year.
Glare can dazzle and distract motorists from the road in front causing them to miss vital road hazards or to concentrate on vehicles in front.
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Tom Preston added: “It’s surprising how much more dangerous summer driving proves to be and the impact it can have on some drivers.
“That said, people should do their utmost to drive safely and sensibly when on the roads this winter.”
Car Insurance provider 1st Central revealed 65 percent of motorists had suffered an accident or experienced an issue while driving in winter weather.
The group claimed the most common cause of accidents in the winter is ice on the road as 44 percent of motorists claimed to have suffered issues.
Poor visibility and lack of tyre grip were also revealed as common causes of car accidents across winter.
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How to drive safely in the winter?
The AA has revealed breakdowns are more common in the winter as vehicles collapse with the cold temperatures and difficult road conditions.
They urge motorists to clean their car windscreen inside and out to make sure visibility is completely clear and free from instruction.
Keeping windscreens clear of dirt and snow will help motorists avoid a £60 fine from police officers and will increase their overall road safety.
The group says tyre tread depth should be ay least 3mm during the winter. Motorists should not let any air out of their tyres in a bid to get more grip as the group claims this doesn’t work and could be unsafe.
The RAC advises motorists to increase their braking distances in icy conditions as it may take longer for brakes to stop a vehicle.
Braking distances should be increased by tenfold on ice compared to a dry road and motorists are urged to make sure they have extra long gaps in case of a lock-up.
Using a higher gear can help grip on areas of solid ice as this reduces the amount of torque and acceleration through the tyres.
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