Did you know that Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous times to be out on the road? Millions of Americans get behind the wheel to visit relatives each year and the surge in traffic often brings with it dangerous driving conditions. If you plan on traveling, whether across town or across state lines, it is important to stay safe. Below, we have compiled a list of the top four driving tips to help you and your family stay safe this Thanksgiving season.
- Get a good night sleep: Thanksgiving can be a hectic time. Between coordinating family get-togethers and making final preparations before stores close, it can be difficult to get a full night’s sleep. However, before you drive, make sure you are well rested. Driving while tired or fatigued may be just as dangerous as driving after having a beer or two. If you find that you are sleepy while on a long trip, find a safe place to stop and get some rest before continuing on.
- Stay off the phone: While you may want to update your relatives with your ETA, or queue up a little entertainment for a long trip, it’s critical to stay off your cell phone. Not only is it against the law but study after study has shown that the distraction greatly increases the risk of an accident. In fact, even with the use of a hands-free system, using a cellphone while driving may still constitute a sizeable risk.
- Keep calm: Between the stress of the holidays and the likelihood of traffic, it can be easy to lose your temper while driving. Anger and frustration can reduce the quality of your decisions and if you focus on the actions of one motorist, your ability to properly drive can suffer. Remember to stay calm, cool, and collected so that you can get to your destination safely.
- Don’t drink and drive: Sharing a few drinks with friends and family can be a great way to relax over the holiday, but tragedy can strike if someone gets behind the wheel while still intoxicated. It is no secret that drunk driving is tremendously dangerous, however, it continues to be a problem on today’s roads.
Car Accident over the Holidays? Call (916) 778-3228
While you may follow every tip listed above, other drivers may not. The holiday season is a notoriously dangerous time to be on the road and no amount of preparation may be able to stop accidents from happening. If you have been involved in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another driver, Eliot Reiner, APLC wants to hear your story. Our Sacramento personal injury attorney possesses more than 25 years of legal experience and can help you to secure the monetary compensation you deserve.
Request a FREE consultation and speak to our firm about your legal options.