Aggressive driving in major U.S. cities is common on the weekends, and with Halloween falling on a Friday this year, the overlap of risky driving hours could make major roads even more hazardous, according to a report by Allstate.
The increased weekend driving risk also extends to more serious crashes. According to the National Safety Council, fatal car crashes are more frequent on weekends, peaking on Saturdays.
How can drivers stay safe this Halloween weekend?
- Beware of “trick-or-treat” zones: Slow down in neighborhoods and near intersections where children may be crossing to celebrate.
- Don’t be a zombie behind the wheel: Stay alert and avoid distractions like phones or fatigue.
- Avoid being a speed demon: Keep your speed in check, especially near exits and merge zones where traffic is heavier and sudden stops are more common.
- Watch for haunted hazards: Defensive driving helps you react to sudden stops and unexpected traffic patterns.
- Keep your headlights glowing: Visibility is key when costumes and decorations might make pedestrians harder to spot.
Meanwhile, men pay more for auto insurance than women in most U.S. states due to a higher likelihood of being involved in fatal crashes.
For nearly every year from 1975 to 2022, the number of male crash deaths was more than twice the number of female crash deaths, resulting in men now paying more for car insurance in 38 states.
The current averages for annual premiums are $2,184 for men and $2,151 for women. At the same time, seven states including Minnesota, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania don't consider gender as a rating factor.
Why some states avoid using gender as a rating factor:
- The states that have outlawed insurance companies from considering gender as a rating factor have mostly prohibited other personal rating factors besides gender, including age, credit history, education, occupation and employment status, etc.
- Lawmakers in these states have decided it is unfair for insurance companies to charge some drivers more due to personal characteristics.
- States favoring these more restrictive regulations believe drivers' car insurance costs primarily reflect their driving and claims history.
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