It's National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month – Keep Yourself (and Others!) Safe on the Roads

By Ashley Effinger

Hey there, folks! Did you know that it's National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month? Yeah, we're all about reducing those crazy fatalities and injuries on our roads and highways. Especially for pedestrians, because they're more likely to get whacked by a car at night than during the day. Yikes!

Here's a (un) fun fact: the deadliest months of the year are from July to October. That's when we all go on vacation and apparently forget how to drive safely. In 2015 alone, we had some pretty grim stats according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check them out:

Memorial Day Weekend: 424 deaths, with 40% of those drivers impaired.

Fourth of July Weekend: 409 deaths, and 36% of the drivers involved were impaired.

Labor Day Weekend: 460 deaths, with 33% of the drivers being alcohol-impaired.

You would think accidents are more likely to happen during the day, right? Nope. Turns out, more than a third of fatal accidents happen during dusk, night, or dawn. And guess what? The drivers involved in these nighttime crashes are more likely to be drunk than those crashing during the day. No surprise there.

Now, here's what's really scary: pedestrians. These poor souls who just want to walk, or have to pull over, are at a high risk during low-light conditions. About 5,000 pedestrians get hit by cars in the US every year. Yikes, again!

But fear not, we've got some safety tips for you:

• If you're in an accident, get your car to safety first. Don't try to fix it or survey the damage while on a busy highway, please. Once you're safe, then you can step out of the vehicle. If it's an emergency, don't just stand on the side closest to traffic. Move to the "shoulder" side, so your car acts as a barrier between you and those crazy drivers.
• If your car breaks down, call for help. Stay inside your vehicle and use that handy cell phone to get some assistance. Only leave the car if absolutely necessary, and if you really have to, do it away from the traffic flow. Safety first!
• Be prepared for emergencies. Get yourself a strong flashlight, some flares or reflective triangles to mark your location, and don't forget to turn on those hazard lights. The key is to be seen by other drivers. Safety is cool, remember?
• Carry a roadside safety kit. You never know when you might need it. It should include a first aid kit, a flashlight with a traffic/safety wand (fancy, huh?), jumper cables, canned instant tire inflator (say what now?), heavy-duty rope, water, non-perishable food items, gloves (protect those hands!) and a warm blanket for those chilly winter breakdowns.

So, here's the deal.

Let's all stay safe out there on the roads during this crazy dangerous time, especially in July.

Seriously, it's one of the deadliest months of the year. We're counting on all you drivers and pedestrians to be extra cautious during these "vacation months and weekends" when accidents love to happen.

Remember, folks, safety first, and let's reduce those fatalities together!

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