The fall/winter holiday season is here, and drivers should be even more cautious on the road, especially during holiday weekends. Many drivers are killed or seriously injured over holiday weekends because of negligence-related motor vehicle accidents.
Tips for Driving Safely During the Holiday Season
Here are a few tips to promote the safety of you and any passengers in your vehicle this holiday season.
- Plan your route. If you plan to travel for the holidays, mapping out your route can help you better prepare yourself and your vehicle for the road ahead. Knowing that you may be taking an unfamiliar route or a road with a lot of construction can help the ride go more smoothly as well, and you can plan your stops and record what gas stations and safe rest areas are along your route. Even if you use Google Maps or a travel app, you should review the route plans that the app lays out.
- Don’t drive distracted. Texting and driving and other distractions from driving are often the cause of or a factor involved in car accidents. Eliminate distractions and commit yourself to paying attention to the road so you can drive more defensively.
- Distance yourself from reckless drivers. If you notice a car swerving or engaging in reckless driving practices, increase the amount of distance between your car and theirs. While you should typically leave the length of one car between vehicles, you should distance yourself even further from reckless drivers.
- Assign a designated driver. During the holidays, the number of drunk driving incidents and fatalities typically increases. For the safety of yourself and others, you should use Uber (other ridesharing platforms) or a designated driver to help you get home if you plan to drink alcoholic beverages.
- Be mindful of the weather. Before driving, check the weather along your route and plan accordingly. If you are caught in a storm or inclement weather, avoid speeding and consider pulling over to a safe location if your visibility is too impaired.
- Pack a cell phone charger. If you have car trouble, get into an accident, or end up needing navigational help, your cell phone is an important lifeline in those situations. Having a car charger (and other helpful tools) handy can help you get help more quickly and avoid being involved in a collision on the shoulder.
- Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives, and while your seatbelt use doesn’t affect whether you are involved in an accident or not, it can help you lessen or avoid serious injury if involved in a crash. Be sure to buckle children into their car or booster seats if needed as well, and remove any bulky or bubble coats that can affect the efficacy of seatbelts or car seat straps.
- Remember it gets darker earlier in the evening. Driving at night can have its own complexities and complications, such as decreased visibility, increased wildlife presence, more drowsy and/or impaired drivers, etc. If you will be driving at night, be sure you take extra precautions to ensure your safety.
- Do a vehicle inspection before driving. Inspecting your tires, tire pressure, headlights, windshield wipers, and other important aspects of your vehicle can help you avoid getting into a collision or accident.
Suffered Injuries in a Negligence-Based Accident? Contact Our Firm!
Backed by over 25 years of legal experience, the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli is equipped to help you or a loved one pursue legal action if you have been involved in a negligence-based accident. Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can lead to serious injuries and financial damages, and we understand how daunting it can be to face the financial consequences of an accident.
Once you retain our services, our legal team can investigate the accident to better prove causation and collect evidence to establish liability. We can also handle the case litigation or negotiation with the insurance company representative and can work to maximize your compensation.
Learn more about how we can help you by scheduling an initial consultation today. Call (516) 628-6402.