One of the main reasons that people need their own transportation is to get to and from their employment. Some companies even demand proof of transportation because they know that workers who ride bikes, walk or take the bus to work will be less reliable.
Owning your own vehicle makes it possible for you to live in an affordable community and still work a high-paying job at a central location. Unfortunately, when you drive back and forth from your place of employment to your home every day, you increase your risk of getting into a motor vehicle collision.
How does your daily commute contribute to your crash risk?
You are on the road at one of the most dangerous times
The federal government tracks data about crashes to provide information to the public and to regulatory agencies. Timing data about crashes makes it clear that two times of day are when the risk is the highest.
Late at night is the most dangerous, but a significant portion of crashes occur between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the afternoon and early evening. Your afternoon commute home from work occurs during one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Not only will you feel tired after a long day at work, but you will also have to drive at a time when traffic levels are incredibly heavy.
Work-related communication is also a risk
The rise of smartphone technology has meant that employers feel entitled to their employees’ time and knowledge constantly. Especially if your employer compensates you on a salary basis, your supervisor may feel like they have the right to call you, email you or text you after the end of your shift or during the weekend.
The pressure of needing to check those incoming messages can contribute to your distraction and increase your risk of a crash. Even if you don’t pick up your phone to read or type out a text message, you could still mentally distract yourself when you hear the phone time or start to vibrate.
Identifying your car crash risk factors related to your employment can help you stay safe on your way to and from your job each day.
