You will probably be on the road between now and the end of December. You may be visiting family or taking care of holiday-related errands or even just doing your usual morning commute. During the next six weeks or so, though, the situation on the roads may become more dangerous as more motorists will be on the roads and drunk driving will potentially be a problem due to holiday parties. While you can’t control what other drivers do, you can do five simple things to make holiday driving safer:
1) Buckle your seatbelt.
This is the busiest time to be on the roads, and traffic crashes are more likely due to higher traffic and other dangers. Even a minor rear-end collision in Homestead or your community can be serious if you are not wearing a seatbelt and your body snaps forward with the force of impact. A seatbelt keeps you securely in your seat and keeps you from being thrown around in the event of a collision. It only takes a few seconds to buckle up, but it could save your life.
2) Change your attitude about driving.
Many motorists take driving very casually. After all, it is a part of many people’s daily commute and routine. In this situation, however, a casual attitude can be deadly. Before hopping in your car, you should make sure that you are sober, focused, alert, and in good health. Driving while drunk, tired, distracted, upset, or ill can impact your ability to drive and can put you and other motorists at risk.
3) Treat driving like a skill.
It is all too easy to pick up bad driving habits or to avoid learning the skills you need to drive safely. If it has been a while since you last had to go to driver’s education classes, consider refresher courses or even driving lessons to polish up your driving ability. It is especially important to get some instruction if you move to a new environment or develop health concerns that could affect your mobility or ability to drive.
4) Be prepared for the worst.
Buy the best insurance you can afford and pack an emergency kit in your car. If you are in an accident, know what to do and what to avoid. You will feel more confident if you are prepared for anything and have the tools and resources to deal with a collision or other problem.
5) Know the hazards of holiday driving and prepare for them.
Holiday driving in South Florida may not involve ice and snow, but it comes with a number of hazards, including:
- Distracted driving
- Tourists arriving in the area and being unfamiliar with the streets
- Drunk driving
- Heavier traffic due to holiday events and holiday shopping
Understand these risks and hazards and be prepared for them. Keep an eye out for drivers driving erratically and check traffic reports to avoid congested areas. Think and plan ahead to avoid the worst of holiday driving.
If you are injured in a car collision at this time of year, you may want legal advice to ensure that your rights are protected. For legal advice and representation, you can always reach out to Flaxman Law Group for a free case evaluation. A member of our law firm would be pleased to explain whether you have a claim and how much that potential claim may be worth.