NRMA Insurance Reveal Safest and Riskiest Times for Car Travel

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Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) January 30, 2014

If drivers want to play it ultra-safe, they need to drive a white car before noon on a Sunday in January so that their chances of having an accident will be at their lowest.

Not everyone owns a white car, of course, and being able to restrict car travel to such a confined day, month and time is going to be close to impossible.

That said, statistics released by NRMA Insurance based on claims data for the period mid 2012 to mid 2013 show that people are much less likely to be involved in an accident at these times. Conversely, it pays to know when the most risky times to drive are, in order to reduce the chance of a collision.

According to the statistics, more collisions occurred in May 2013 than another other month, with August and March being the next most accident-prone months.

During the working week, the chance of collision increased as the week went on, with collisions more likely to occur on a Friday (16.6 percent), then a Thursday (15.8 percent) then Wednesday (15 percent). However, fatalities are more likely to occur on the weekend, with Saturday, then Friday, being the worst days.

On the weekends, the riskiest time of day for non-fatal collisions is noon, and then there is another spike at 3pm. Fatalities are more likely to occur, on average, between 1pm and 7pm, and 3pm is the worst time of day.

On weekdays, collisions are more likely to occur between 8am and 9am, and between 2pm and 6pm, peaking at 4pm.

The most common type of accident is a rear-end smash (18.8 percent), where cars travelling in the same direction connect. The next most common type of collision is a left-front-side impact (9.1 percent), where a driver connects with a stationary object or parked vehicle.

Car colour is also a significant factor in collisions.

White is the safest colour for a car, while during daylight black is the least safe, and in darker conditions silver and red are the least safe. Blue, green, grey, silver, red and black are all less safe than white.

Data can be great, but what this all mean for drivers?

For those looking to adjust their driving habits based on these insights then the riskiest time to drive on a weekday is a Friday in May between 8 and 9am or at 4pm in a black car. On weekends the riskiest time to drive is a Saturday at noon in a black, grey or silver car, though the risk of a fatal accident is greatest between 1 and 7pm, peaking at 3pm on a Saturday.

Source: http://www.nrma.com.au/what-safest-time-drive

About NRMA Insurance:
NRMA Insurance is a provider of car insurance, motorcycle insurance, home insurance, business insurance, travel insurance, boat insurance, caravan insurance, life insurance, income protection, security and bicycle insurance in NSW, QLD, ACT & TAS (boat and caravan insurance is not offered in Tasmania). For insurance in other states and territories visit SGIO insurance in WA or SGIC insurance in SA. NRMA Insurance, SGIO & SGIC are members of Insurance Australia Group (IAG). NRMA Motoring & Services is a separate and independent company from NRMA Insurance. Insurance (except Travel Insurance, Life Insurance and Income Protection) issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 trading as NRMA Insurance. When making decisions about NRMA insurance consider the applicable Product Disclosure Statement in advance.

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