If summer traffic on Cape Cod feels busier than usual, the statistics confirm it. Accident rates climb during tourist season. With more visitors on the roads, unfamiliar drivers and busy beach areas can make driving more challenging. Understanding why accidents increase can help drivers stay alert and take extra care on the road.
Summer traffic on Cape Cod roads
Cape Cod’s population more than doubles during peak season. Millions of visitors arrive between June and August. Once traffic crosses the Sagamore and Bourne bridges, it funnels directly onto Route 6 and Route 28. These roads have narrow lanes, frequent intersections and few alternatives. The increase in traffic creates stop-and-go conditions and raises the risk of collisions significantly.
Unfamiliar roads catch drivers off guard
Most summer visitors do not know Cape Cod roads well. Unfamiliar drivers miss turns, brake suddenly and make poor decisions in rotaries. Beach access points and unexpected intersections often catch tourists off guard. Local drivers handle these conditions daily, but visitors frequently react too slowly. That hesitation is often what causes a crash.
How to handle out-of-state insurance
Many out-of-state drivers carry insurance that meets their home state’s minimum requirements. However, these may fall below what Massachusetts law requires. The state requires all drivers to carry at least $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $100,000 per accident.
If a driver from another state causes your accident, their coverage might not fully pay for your medical bills or vehicle damage. Beyond that, out-of-state drivers often leave Cape Cod quickly. This can make follow-up communication difficult.
When the accident involves a rental
Federal law generally protects rental companies from liability when their vehicles cause accidents. As a result, the financial responsibility falls almost entirely on the person who rented the car. That renter’s personal auto insurance typically becomes the primary source of coverage. Some renters also carry coverage through their credit card or through a policy from the rental company.
How Massachusetts fault laws affect your case
Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means a person can only recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault. However, the compensation amount is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
Out-of-state drivers often do not know local traffic laws. When accidents happen, insurance companies examine fault carefully. They may argue that unfamiliarity with local roads increases a driver’s responsibility.
Reducing the risk of car accidents this summer
The best thing any driver can do on Cape Cod in the summer is stay aware. Be cautious near beach parking areas and busy intersections. Defensive driving can reduce your risk of a collision. Even so, accidents still happen. If you find yourself in a car accident, check for injuries and exchange information with the other driver. Keeping records of what happened can help when reporting the incident.