Recently, I wrote about how when the weather breaks in Michigan, we go nuts! After a cold winter with long, dark, and gray days, as soon as the sun comes out and it gets above sixty degrees, suddenly, you and your neighbors come out of hibernation and get outside. People are pulling lawn furniture out, landscapers are doing spring clean-ups, and people finally feel it is safe to uncover their perennial plants.
Across Michigan and in the Lakes Area of Oakland County, you will see landscaping trucks and trailers everywhere, contractors putting docks in with folks launching their boats for the spring maiden cruise, road construction, general contractors building homes or remodeling the outside, and of course, classic cars and motorcycles back on the roads.
For me, when the weather breaks and I am driving, my music volume increases, and I tend to drive faster. This is also the time of year when one will see more PSAs (public service announcements) reminding people to keep an eye out for motorcyclists.
The State of Michigan has a PSA called “Look Twice and Safe a Life,” which reminds motorists that, “A quarter million Michiganders ride motorcycles
But it’s easy to overlook them due to their size and profile. To keep everyone safe, Michigan motorists are urged to always remain aware of motorcyclists and keep in mind the following:
- Most motorcycle-vehicle crashes occur on city streets, not on highways.
- Most motorcycle-vehicle crashes occur at intersections when a vehicle turns left into an oncoming motorcyclist.
- It only takes a second for traffic to turn into tragedy,”.
With all the extra workers and drivers, as well as people driving faster in the warm weather, inevitably, the chances of accidents occurring are more likely to increase if we are not being extra cautious.
The time of year most car accidents happen, according to a report by Progressive Insurance, “The NSC reports that the highest number of fatal traffic crashes occur in July, August, and October. The NHTSA calls the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day the 100 Deadliest Days because car crashes soar during the summer months, especially for teen drivers,”.
*NSC stands for National Safety Commission, and NHTSA is the acronym for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate attention from a professional when necessary.
Why do people drive worse in the summer?
As a Michigander in the warmer months, I tend to drive more because I travel up north for vacations and drive at faster speeds. It might be as a result of not only warmer temps but also because there is an increase in daylight hours, as well as a general sense of optimism and excitement.
However, for some, these conditions lead to overconfidence, an increased desire for fun driving, and a lack of focus on safety. Additionally, some people could be rushing to enjoy outdoor activities such as concerts, trips to the beach, getting up north to snag the best campsite or just because we humans are more inclined to engage in risky behaviors when the weather is nice.
Furthermore, especially in Pure Michigan – a busy travel and tourism state, we tend to drive more miles during the summer months for vacations and merely to drive for the fun of it. Also, we might get “lead foot” because we are traveling longer distances.
Best driving on sand dunes Michigan
Speaking of Michigan being a travel and tourism state and driving for fun, I have two trips planned for this summer up north near the Silver Lake Sand Dunes:
- In July, at an Airbnb in Mears, footsteps from Silver Lake, where we will launch my son’s boat
- Late June camping at Charles Mears State Park on the beautiful Lake Michigan in Pentwater, just a few miles north of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Michigan’s official state tourism website, Pure Michigan, says the following about the best driving on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, “One of Silver Lake’s most popular features is its 450-acre off-road vehicle area. Visitors may cruise up and over the expansive dunes in their own 4x4s provided they’re outfitted with an ORV sticker and a ten-foot orange flag. Alternatively, travelers can rent off-road vehicles specially equipped to handle the unique challenges of driving on sand. The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are the only sand dunes east of the Mississippi River where visitors are allowed to drive private motorized vehicles over the shifting landscape. Silver Lake’s ORV area operates from April 1 through October 31,”.
Silver Lake Visitor’s Bureau notes these rules for driving on the sand dunes in Michigan, “Here’s a breakdown of accessing the Silver Lake Sand dunes, hours of operation, and State Park contact information.
Location: 8960 W. Fox Road, Mears, Michigan, 49436
Season Information & Hours of Operation:
Open April 1 – Oct. 31 each year:
April 1 – 30, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
May 1 – Sept. 15, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sept. 16 – Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Access to the ORV area and dunes is stopped ½ hour ahead of closing time each evening.
- Permits & Passports: To enter the park, all motor vehicles riding on the dunes must display:
- ORV license AND ORV trail permit.: Purchase at DNR ORV Welcome Center, or online.
- Recreation Passport: Learn more by visiting the states website. & passport: Purchase at DNR ORV Welcome Center, or online
- Orange Flag: To ride in the dunes, vehicles must display a rectangular orange safety flag that is 10 foot in height off the ground when mounted (flags are 8-foot before mounting). All vehicles (except 4 wheel atv and motorbikes-rear) mount on front of vehicle
- SOUND LIMIT-94dbs max, or vehicle will be restricted from park for 48 hours,”.
My sons and I are so excited to take these two high-adventure trips – we are counting down the days!
What time of year do most car accidents happen
Summer brings fun and freedom, but it also brings increased risks on the road. With more drivers, distractions, and miles traveled, staying alert and practicing safe driving habits during these busy months is essential for everyone’s safety.