I was interested to hear that holidaymakers in England and Wales were warned to take extra care when driving on 1st September.  According to AXA, summer car accidents have peaked on that date for three years in a row.

Last year, the insurance company saw 40% more road accident claims being made on 1st September than on the average day throughout the summer season. In 2009 and 2010, car accidents increased by around 30% on the same date.

This year, AXA is predicting that the accident figures may be even higher.

"Every year we see a surge of accidents at this time of year as people head back after the August bank holiday, or return home after their summer holidays,” said Sarah Vaughan, motor director at AXA. “Generally speaking we tend to see lots of accidents on our roads over the few days following the bank holiday Monday.”

"However, we are particularly concerned this year that the 'bogey' date of 1st September also falls on a Saturday, which is traditionally a big 'switchover' day for holidaymakers,” she added.

The warning prompted me to look for a few more ‘accident’ dates:

• According to Accident Exchange, road users are more likely to have an accident during a Friday evening rush hour in November than at any other time during the year;
• Esure points to 18th January as being the worst day in the year for traffic accidents, blaming wintry weather and a lack of daylight;
• Statistically speaking, February 29th is the safest day to drive – for obvious reasons - says insurer Admiral; and
• Thursday is the most dangerous day to ride a motorbike, according to insurance company Bennetts.

Personally speaking, I don’t think road accidents are about bad dates. They are about bad drivers.

The message is the same though - take care on the roads, everyone!