Driving in September on Florida’s roads and highways presents some special challenges for motor vehicle operators who happen to be Floridians.

This Labor Day weekend, AAA estimates that 1.6 million drivers hit Florida’s network of roads and highways. With more than twice the congestion of non-holiday September traffic flow established, such a volume presented some obvious issues. More people, more vehicles, more pedestrians darting in and out of traffic, more infractions, more alcohol, more accidents. Getting from one place in Florida to another was more difficult, especially in the vicinity of attractions such as Disney World or Epcot Center.

But after the big weekend, the weather in our neck of the peninsula begins to become more, and not less, tourist-friendly. It’s still humid and uncomfortable for visitors coming into our Sunshine State from a place like North Dakota or Manitoba, but it’s only very warm, and not quite so hot. Florida vacations are still scheduled by multitudes of sightseers flexible enough to manage a September trip on their schedules. For this reason, it’s always prudent for Florida natives to anticipate tourists in the manner of Labor Day’s mindset – as even if the numbers decrease, the driving habits you’ll encounter might still not change much.

In fact, Florida accident rates appear to be mirrored during the rest of the month – probably for just that reason.

A special danger for local Floridians during this hazardous month is an increased number of motorists meandering about on unfamiliar rural roads and highways. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a confused or lost driver is especially dangerous to other motorists because of their indecisive state of mind. An indecisive mindset while operating a motor vehicle is possibly as hazardous as an intoxicated mindset, at least in a percentage of cases where an accident occurs. In such circumstances where a confused driver is meandering about on a road or highway, anyone within the range of their bumper is suddenly at risk. Sometimes in rural areas, this clear and present danger on lazy September days may extend beyond the human race, to dogs or cats or horses or sheep, for instance. In any case, safety procedures and driving with proper caution and respect for the rules of the road remains important not only on Labor Day – but for weeks beyond.