We hope not! And we also hope that you’re driving safely this holiday season. The holidays are always the most hectic and most dangerous times to drive, so what can you do to stay safe on the road this holiday season? Let our attorneys at Lerner and Rowe give you some practical safety advice.
Protect Your Home
Before you head out on the road this holiday season, you should always make sure your home is safe and secure. You should lock your doors and roll up all windows. Secure any alternate entrances or exits, such as gates and fences. If you have an alarm system, you should make sure it is turned on before you leave. In addition, make sure all appliances and electronic equipment are turned off. This includes lamps, TVs, computer equipment, stoves, ovens, and other appliances. The last thing you want to be worried about while driving is if you left your stove on at home!
Inspect Your Vehicle
Because holiday car accidents are so common, you should be prudent and inspect your vehicle ahead of time. This way, the likelihood of some catastrophic malfunction while on the road diminishes. So, before you drive, check out your vehicle yourself, or take it to a mechanic.
Have all the components looked at: the brakes, the tires, the oil, the engine, the windshield wipers, etc. Make sure your tailpipe is not blocked by anything. In addition, you should not use a type of gas that is not approved for your vehicle (see your driver’s manual for details), as doing so can cause permanent damage to your vehicle and may even cause injury.
Plan Your Route
No matter where you’re going, you should always know the route you’ll be taking. You should check to see if there are any accidents or closed roads on your planned route. Also, check to see if there will be construction zones or other safety hazards. When you come across such hazards, drive slowly and cautiously. In addition, check the weather ahead of time! If the weather will be especially cold or rainy, drive accordingly. Even the arid weather of New Mexico can sometimes pose a safety risk, so always check ahead of time!
Stay Alert
Staying alert is incredibly important in avoiding holiday car accidents. Even if you are a responsible driver, there are plenty of people out there who aren’t. Because of this, you should keep an eye out for what other drivers are doing and drive even more carefully than you normally do. Other drivers may change lanes without using their blinkers, or perhaps they might cut you off. You should be aware of such poor driving practices and take proactive measure to combat them. Stay alert. Stay an ample distance away from other drivers. Expect the unexpected.
Don’t Drive Impaired
You should never drive impaired! Whether you’re under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even if you’re just fatigued, impaired driving more often than not results in a serious injury at minimum. If you drank alcohol, wait until you are 100% sober before going on the road. If you are under the influence of medication, you should check with your doctor to see if you are able to drive while taking it. In addition, if you are feeling drowsy while driving, pull over immediately. Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, so don’t risk your safety!
Obey Traffic Laws
You should obey all traffic laws, especially during the holiday season. Always mind the speed limit! This is especially important considering that slippery and icy roads can make it more difficult for vehicles to stop. Even arid cities such as Albuquerque can have slippery roads. If you’re driving in foggy, rainy, or snowy weather, you may have to drive even slower than usual. This applies for when there is a lot of traffic, as well. All other traffic laws apply, too. Do not run red lights or stop signs. Always use your blinkers to let people know which direction you’re going. Obey all construction and other hazard signs.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions are the downfall for many drivers. Remember, cell phones and driving do not go together! It doesn’t matter if you’re texting or having a call while driving. Even if you use a hands-free device, conversations on the road can still divert your focus and cause an accident. Your best bet is to focus on the road and nothing else. You should put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode to prevent you from getting distracted. You should eliminate other distractions, too, such as playing the radio too loudly or having rowdy passengers.
Drive Defensively
This is another important tip to avoid holiday car crashes. Chances are, everyone is rushing to go shopping or see their family and friends. You, however, are smart, and will not drive aggressively. So, you should let all the aggressive drivers pass you. This way, you are far away from drivers who might act irrationally or otherwise unpredictably on the road. Maintain an ample distance between yourself and other drivers. Never rush to your destination, and remember: safety first! If you do get in a car accident, however, contact Lerner and Rowe immediately, and we will put together your personal injury case.
Keep an Emergency Kit
This is one thing many drivers forget or just don’t care enough about. But an emergency kit is quite important when it comes to holiday safety, especially after a car crash! Your safety kit should have, at minimum: band aids, gauze, scissors, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, a blanket, a flashlight, hand sanitizer, tweezers, and latex gloves.
In addition, you should have a toolkit with items such as a car jack, a tire iron, and other items in case your vehicle breaks down. If your vehicle does break down, be sure to put your hazard lights on to signal to others that you are stuck. Call your car insurance company or a towing company and see if they offer roadside assistance. If you’re in the middle of the road, stay in your vehicle. If you’re on the side of the road, carefully get out of your vehicle on the side opposite oncoming traffic. Place reflective cones around your vehicle, if you have them, while you wait for help.
Stay Relaxed
This one may seem trivial, but many people forget to stay calm at the wheel. Driving while upset can cause you to act irrationally at the wheel, and no one wants that to happen. Angry driving can result in a multitude of poor driving behaviors such as tailgating, speeding, running red lights, weaving in and out of traffic, and more. All of these behaviors pose a risk to your safety, so just remember this: you cannot control how other people drive, but you can control how you react to their driving. Always try to respond in a positive way, and try not to get flustered this holiday season.
Do You Suffer an Injury from any Holiday Car Accidents?
If you suffer from a personal injury this holiday season, don’t wait, contact Lerner and Rowe today! Our experienced legal team will work hard for you to obtain your compensation. We can be reached 24/7 at 844-977-1900. Alternatively, you can contact us online and check out our LiveChat feature. Consultations are absolutely free. We do not collect any fees unless we win your case, so don’t hesitate! Contact Lerner and Rowe today!
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.