Are You More Likely to Get Into an Accident During the Holidays?

The holiday season can be a wonderful time to catch up with friends, spend quality time with family and exchange heart-felt gifts with the people you love. Summer holidays, like Memorial Day or Labor Day are excellent opportunities for participating in outdoor activities and family cookouts.

Holidays lead to increased travel. People are driving to stores while shopping for Christmas presents, driving to a neighboring town for a Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends or embarking on a cross-country drive to see relatives. Although getting into an accident may be the last thing on your mind amid the holiday season, it’s a very real possibility.

There are actually substantially more accidents during the holiday season than in non-holiday months. Increased travel and alcohol consumption are the primary causes behind the notable increase in car crashes as well as accident injuries and fatalities.

Being aware of the increased likelihood of getting into an accident during holidays will hopefully keep you alert and help to protect you and those around you from car accidents and injuries.

Factors That Contribute to Holiday Car Accidents

There are several factors that contribute to an increased number of car accidents during the holidays:

• Drunk driving
• Increased traffic, typically on highways and around shopping malls and grocery stores
• Bad road conditions due to severe weather like snow, blizzards, black ice or pouring rain
• Fatigue from driving for too many hours
• Driving on unfamiliar roads and highways, which can lead to confusion, last-minute turns, etc.
• Distracted driving: Engaging in conversation with passengers, texting, eating, looking at maps on your phone, etc.
• Lack of proper car maintenance, especially before a long drive

How to Avoid or Minimize Holiday-Related Car Accident Risks

If you’re planning to travel during the holidays there are several safety precautions you can take to minimize your chance of getting into an accident.

Stay Alert

If you’re having to drive to your destination for several hours, try to take turns with a friend or family member. If you’re the sole driver, taking frequent breaks from driving by stopping at a gas station for coffee or spending the night at a hotel may help prevent you from falling asleep behind the wheel.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Understandably, many holiday get together involve alcohol. If you’re planning on having a few drinks, make sure you have a designated driver or use a rideshare to get home. Drinking and driving is one of the easiest and most reckless ways to cause a serious accident. Even if you’re driving sober, it may be in your best interest to avoid the roads on New Year’s Eve night and Independence Day, where your chances of being involved in a DUI accident are well over 100 percent higher than on other days of the year.

Avoid Distractions

Try to minimize your cell phone use and conversations with passengers, especially if you’re driving to an area you’ve never been before.

Use Alternative Modes of Transportation

If you’re planning to travel somewhere far, consider flying there instead of driving. Statistically speaking, flying is considered nineteen times safer than driving. Yes, flying can be hassle, but it’s likely a lot faster and less stressful than being cooped up in a car for several days.

Avoid High Traffic Areas

Try not to drive to places you know will be busy. If you’re looking to purchase presents for family members and friends, there are plenty of online shopping options which can save you time and keep you off busy roads and out of jam-packed shopping centers.

Get Your Car Checked by a Trusted Mechanic

If you’re planning a long-distance road trip, make sure it’s preceded by a thorough vehicle inspection. A skilled mechanic will ensure your car is ready for travel by checking things like tire pressure, brakes, engine oil and battery life.

Have You Suffered Personal Injuries from a Car Crash? Get Legal Guidance from a Skilled Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured by someone else’s reckless driving and are faced with life-altering consequences, you may be able to recover substantial damages. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure you’re not shortchanged by the other driver’s insurance company.



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