Authorities across the country report higher rates of accidents during November and December. There are a few reasons for the problem:
1) Daylight savings time.
According to some studies, the time changes that happen with Daylight Saving Time (DST) can mean an increased risk of traffic accidents in Hollywood and other communities as we adjust to new sleep cycles.
2) Shorter days.
As the days get shorter and darkness comes in more quickly, many of us find ourselves driving home or walking home in the dark. This can be difficult to adjust to. We may feel more fatigued driving in the dark and of course poorer visibility in the dark can easily lead to car accidents.
3) The holidays.
This is a festive time of year, and that can mean more parties and more alcohol. Unfortunately, drunk driving in Hollywood and other communities increases around the holidays. This is a good time to promise yourself not to drive after drinking and to create some options to get home safely if you have been drinking.
Drunk driving is not the only danger of the holidays, however. With the holidays approaching, more people are on the roads, either traveling to see friends and family or driving to the mall to get holiday shopping completed. While the extra activity can be exciting and good for the economy, more cars on the road can also mean a bigger danger on the roads.
4) More stress and less time.
Since the holidays are coming up, many Hollywood residents are busier than ever before. There are shopping lists to check off, holiday plans to finalize and social events to attend – and that’s in addition to work and all the other commitments we take on during the year. Unfortunately, all that work and stress can mean distraction. When drivers are thinking of their holiday plans rather than about what’s in front of them, that’s when right of way collisions or intersection accidents can happen. If drivers are tempted to check their mobile phones or to multitask while driving, they can easily cause an accident.
No one can give you more time during the holidays, but you can cross off some non-essential work off your to-do list or get some help with planning and taking care of holiday errands. Keeping your schedule realistic lets you get adequate rest and ensures that you are not distracted. This not only makes you a better driver, but it allows you to enjoy the holiday season a little more.
Of course, just because these risks exist, it does not mean you will be injured in a car accident. Knowing that there may be tired and distracted drivers on the roads gives you a chance to take steps to protect yourself and your family. Use extra caution on the roads at this time of year and ensure that you drive only when you feel alert and ready to focus on the road.
If you are injured in a traffic accident due to a reckless driver, you can always reach Flaxman Law Group for legal advice and representation. Our full service legal firm is staffed by compassionate and desiccated professionals, so we can handle all the details of your case.