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August is the deadliest month for drivers, according to Nationwide

According to Nationwide’s SmartRide Data, Nationwide members reported 56,929 accidents in August 2016 — more than any other month last year. (Photo: iStock)
As the month of August comes to a close, drivers and agents can breathe a sigh of relief.

“Not only is August the most deadly, but it’s when the most crashes occurred in 2016,” said, Larry Thursby, Nationwide’s vice president of personal auto and home pricing.

According to Nationwide’s SmartRide Data, Nationwide members reported 56,929 accidents in August 2016 — more than any other month last year. In 2015, August had 3,319 motor-vehicle deaths — the highest for the year.

Related: Nationwide hires new CIO to oversee digital transformation

How SmartRide helps drivers & Nationwide

For drivers, SmartRide is designed to let them know when they’re slipping into dangerous behaviors.

From the moment when drivers hit the road to when they turn their engine off, they receive immediate feedback such as how fast they drove and how hard they brake, among other considerations. Customers receive a discount for signing up for the voluntary program and can either use an app on their smartphone or an in-vehicle device.

Since 2010, Nationwide has offered the SmartRide program. Relying on data from over 3 million customers, Nationwide collects information from drivers during the first 3 to 4 months and correlates it back to loss histories.

Related: Are we safe drivers? Apparently not…

Tips for drivers

Nationwide’s analysis found that certain states, such as Arkansas and Ohio, among others, are among the very best in practicing safe driving.

States like New York and Arizona, however, reported drivers with more aggressive tendencies.

“Generally what we see, when the level of congestion rises, the number of cars on the road, you tend to get more aggressive driving,” said Thursby.

Thursby outlined the following evergreen for drivers throughout the country:

Don’t follow the car in front of you too closely.
Don’t be in a rush.

Don’t get distracted.

The auto industry is drawing closer towards autonomous vehicles, but drivers will need to practice safe driving until then.

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