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Published on: March 27, 2019
During which month is it riskiest to drive in the United States?
1The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2150, USA. sivak@umich.edu
Objectives:
This study examined the variation in the U.S. road fatality rate per distance driven across the months of the year.
Method:
The monthly fatality rates were analyzed for a 13-year period from 1994 through 2006.
Results:
The results indicate a systematic seasonal variation in the road fatality rate, with the highest rate in October and the lowest rate in March.
Conclusion:
The obtained seasonal variation in the road fatality rate is likely a result of a joint influence of several factors that exhibit seasonal variations themselves (the duration of darkness, consumption of alcohol, proportion of older drivers, amount of leisure driving, and inclement weather).
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