Many car accidents occur due to heavy traffic. The increase of drivers on the road slows down commute times and causes congestion, leading to aggressive driving, speeding, and distracted driving as drivers try to reach their destination on time, sometimes regardless of traffic laws!
Read on to discover the worst traffic times in Boise, Idaho, and common causes of car collisions in heavy traffic. If you suffer injuries in a car accident in Boise or the surrounding area, contact a car accident lawyer from Great West Injury Law to explore your legal options.
Worst Traffic Times for Boise Drivers
According to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), there were 244 fatal crashes causing 271 deaths in Idaho in 2021. Boise alone had 121 serious crashes, and 9 fatal crashes. Generally, the worst traffic times for Boise drivers are:
- By Time of Day
The most congested time of day to travel in Boise is Tuesday between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., with a 40% increase in travel time over the usual. The rest of the weekdays see heavier than usual traffic between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with most days experiencing an increase of 30% or more in congestion.
The ITD database of crashes reports that the most deadly time of day in Boise is between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Injury crashes peak at midnight and continue until 4 a.m. While the ITD does not give a reason for this trend, it may be due to drowsy or drunk driving that is likely to occur at this time.
Unsurprisingly, 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. are the second-worst times to drive in Boise. Many people commute to work and take lunch breaks at this time, which could account for the accident numbers.
- By Time of the Week
Based on ITD data, fatal crashes happen most often on Wednesdays and Sundays, with Wednesday being the most deadly day to drive. Wednesdays also have the highest number of serious injury-causing wrecks of any day of the week.
- By Month
The worst months for Boise drivers include May and July, with May having the most reported serious crashes. Following just behind these two dangerous months are August, December, and June, with March and November having the fewest collisions.
September is the most fatal month for drivers, with October falling not far behind. December and August are the 3rd and 4th most deadly driving months, while June, July, and November are tied in 5th place.
Highways, Roads, and Intersections
ITD data provides a map of car accidents in Boise. According to the dashboard, many fatality accidents happen on the Interstate 84 corridor going through the city. Adjacent roads such as S. Cole Road, West Overland Road, and S Five Mile Road saw several fatal accidents.
Serious accidents in and around Boise occur most often on Interstate 84 and throughout the Boise metro area. S. Vista Avenue, W. Front Street, and the Boise Connector with U.S. Highway 20/26 also have a high number of accidents.
Common Causes of Crashes in Heavy Traffic
The most common reasons crashes occur in heavy traffic involve distracted driving, following too close, speeding, and aggressive driving maneuvers.
- Following Too Close
Following too closely, typically less than the recommended three seconds behind the car in front, in congested traffic is especially dangerous. Driving too close behind another car doesn’t allow you enough time to stop in an emergency and is responsible for many accidents in Idaho. Following another vehicle too closely was responsible for 13% of all Idaho crashes in 2020 and 12% of injury crashes.
- Aggressive Driving
In heavy traffic, people feel anxious and angry and can turn their anger onto other drivers. They may swerve into another person’s lane, cut off other cars, or otherwise drive dangerously and cause an accident. Aggressive driving contributed to 48% of vehicle crashes and 78 deaths in Idaho in 2020.
- Distracted Driving
In Idaho, distracted driving caused 19% of injury crashes in 2020, and contributed to 22 deaths. Distracted driving includes using a phone or electronic device, or simply not paying attention to the road. Distracted driving can be especially hazardous in congested traffic as reaction times are limited.
Discover Your Legal Options with Great West Injury Law
Call our firm today to schedule a free consultation regarding your Boise auto accident. Our Idaho auto accident injury lawyers can review your case and help you understand your legal options.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to worry about legal fees until the conclusion of your case and only if you win. We believe every car accident victim has the right to legal counsel and are here to help you make the best legal choice possible after your accident.
Schedule your free consultation with Great West Injury Law today through our online contact form or by calling our Boise location.