With temperatures around 35 -36 degrees, and the possibility that they could rise up to 38 – 40 in the next couple of days, could it be that this heatwave is affecting the way people drive?
Yesterday we reported on a accident involving two cars just outside Barga – luckily nobody seriously hurt – article here
Today there was another similar accident at 5 pm this afternoon involving two cars in Fornaci di Barga.
The Caribinieri were called to the scene along with the Polizia Municipale who directed the traffic around the two damaged cars which were partially blocking the road out of Fornaci di Barga.
Once again, no serious injuries to any of the occupants of the vehicles and traffic returned to its normal flow once the cars were removed from the scene.
SO maybe the hot weather really does influence how we drive?
As the hot summer weather begins to agitate car drivers, car accident claims are beginning to rise, so recent reports show.
Road rage is more prevalent in hot weather, which causes traffic jams and slow moving traffic to become a less bearable experience than when it is a cooler temperature outside.
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A recent article in a UK newspaper brought another idea to the table when they reported the startling fact that “Male road accidents soar in summer due to women’s short skirts”
They went on breathlessly to say – ” the scorching heatwave caused road accidents to soar because male drivers were distracted by womens’ skimpy outfits, according to insurance claim figures
The latest statistics show that 29 per cent of men admitted being distracted by short skirts and low-cut tops in the Summer weather, leading to record numbers of accidents on the roads.
And according to car insurance company Sheilas’ Wheels, the summer smash phenomenon is getting worse each year – in 2009 men made 16.4 per cent more claims during the Summer than in any other month.
The insurance company also found that a quarter of male drivers have had at least one summertime crash or very near miss in the last five years, compared to just 17 per cent of women.
Behavioural psychologist Donna Dawson explained: “Research shows that men are far more easily distracted behind the wheel than women.
“Men are more visually orientated and so distractions such as an attractive woman walking down the street can quickly take their attention away from driving and the job in hand.” – source