Getting together with family and friends to celebrate during the holidays is one of the very best parts of the season! There’s so much happiness and excitement going on, but staying safe is not always top of our priority list. Did you know that there are more fatal automobile accidents during the holidays than at any other time of year? Something to think about when you are heading out on the roads this season!
Tips for Avoiding Automobile Accidents
Whether you’re staying home or heading out on the road to spend time with Grandma this year, here are a few safety tips that can help you and your family arrive safely.
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Make sure your vehicle is in top shape.
Even if you aren’t planning to travel far during the holidays, you don’t want to be caught in a terrible snowstorm with car problems, especially those that could have been easily avoided. Take the time to check your car out to see if your tires and other parts are in order. Have your car regularly serviced as well. Let your mechanic know you’re getting ready to take a long trip (if applicable) and have them check out all belts, brakes, fluid levels, and more. Then you’ll know with confidence that you’re ready to hit the road!
Also, double-check to be sure that your car insurance coverage is all up to date isn’t a bad idea before a road trip. Contact your agent to understand what kind of coverage you have and if you have any kind of roadside assistance included in your plan if a problem does arise.
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Plan where you’ll be going and what roads you’ll take.
Today, traveling in unfamiliar areas is easier than ever with GPS functions on our phones, tablets, and cars. Some navigation systems even tell you if the roads you’ll be traveling on are under construction or what the weather conditions currently are. It’s still a good idea to do some extra research on your own to make sure the roads you’ll be on won’t have anything going on that you can avoid from the beginning. You’ll be happy you took a little extra time to find out.
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Make sure luggage or tow-able trailers/items are secured properly.
Nothing will cause more of a headache for you than losing your luggage or, even worse, having a trailer come loose. Something as simple as a suitcase flying from your roof can cause a huge accident. Take the time to strap things down properly – and be even more careful than you might think is necessary.
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Equip your car for emergencies.
While you should always have a basic first aid kit available in your car, other items could be beneficial to you on a long trip should you have an emergency arise. Warm blankets are a must, as well as some water and food items like beef jerky, fruit leather, granola bars, and hard candies if you end up being stuck somewhere for a while. Jumper cables and a flashlight can also be useful to have on hand.
You never know when you’ll need these things, but being prepared with these kinds of items can bring peace of mind and comfort to you and your family when it’s needed most.
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Avoid hazardous driving conditions.
If possible, try to stay away from driving at night, a time when things are harder to see but also when roads become more icy and slippery.
Plan so that you are getting enough sleep before and during your journey if it spans several days. Driving drowsy can be extremely dangerous. When you are planning your route, map out what towns and hotels you can stop at to get some rest. If you are driving alone (and even if you’re not), take time to stop at gas stations and rest stops to walk around and breathe in some fresh air. You’ll feel so much better if you do!
Even when you are getting enough sleep, if possible, switch drivers every so often so that you always have a driver that is alert and at their best.
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Drive the speed limit.
It may be tempting to speed through those open sections of the road, but the speed limit exists to keep you safe. Staying at the posted speed limit allows you to be able to really know what’s going on around you. If there are animals like deer that jump out, you will have more time to make the adjustments you need to keep your family safe than if you were speeding along at 10-15 mph faster than you should be.
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Avoid distractions when you’re driving as much as possible.
Although it’s impossible to limit all distractions, things like texting while driving or even holding your phone to talk to someone are some key things to avoid completely. Pullover if you need to answer a text or call.
Eating while driving, reprimanding noisy kids, and more are all things you can try to avoid but can’t always escape. Do your best to be safe on the road for the safety of you and other drivers.
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Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.
We all want to get to our destination as fast as possible but giving yourself more than enough time to get to your holiday concert or party is always a good idea.
Automobile Accident Claims
We all do our best to steer clear of potential automobile accident risks, but during your holiday journey if you find yourself with injuries resulting from an auto accident, don’t hesitate to call our attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger to help. Our knowledgeable lawyers know what is required in a personal injury case and can help prepare you appropriately. With our free initial consultation, you’ll be able to ask questions and feel comfortable about who we are how we can help. Contact us today to find out more about the services we offer.