Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous holidays to spend on the road. Not long after, we have Christmas and New Year’s Eve, two more holidays where your chance of being involved in a car accident is higher than your chance on a typical day.
There are a few reasons for the increase in car accidents on Thanksgiving and other holidays. There are more drivers on the road, more drivers navigating through unfamiliar areas, and more drivers under the influence of alcohol on the road as they leave holiday parties. When you head out to see loved ones this holiday season, give yourself ample time to reach your destination. Do not rush and if you feel too tired to drive, do not drive. No holiday is worth risking your life to reach a relative’s home.
Visibility is Lower During the Winter Holidays
The nights are longer in the winter. Longer periods of darkness means lower visibility for drivers, who can have difficulty seeing hazards in the roadway and reacting to other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and wildlife while driving at night. This holiday season, check your headlights and replace the bulbs if necessary to make your evening drives safer.
Holiday Celebrations mean Alcohol Consumption
One of the greatest hazards on the roadway during the holiday season is the number of drunk drivers on the road. The most effective way to protect yourself from a collision with a drunk driver is to choose not to drive – consider staying over at your host’s house or taking public transportation to your destination. If these are not viable options, choose not to drink alcohol and when you drive, be extra vigilant of the other vehicles on the roadway. If you are not drinking, offer to be a designated driver for others.
Prepare for your Holiday Road Trip Before you Leave Home
In Texas, you generally do not have to worry about ice and snow accumulation on the roadway. If you are driving out of state to a colder climate, though, be prepared to alter your driving to suit the weather. Before you leave home, take the following steps for safety:
- Pack a first aid kit;
- Have a flashlight and spare batteries in your vehicle;
- If your windshield wiper blades are worn, replace them;
- Have a warm blanket, clean water, and a bright-colored rag in the car in case you are stranded;
- Inflate all tires, including the spare, to their proper PSI; and
- Check all fluid levels and replace any fluids as needed.
An Experienced Austin Car Accident Lawyer can Help
You can be injured in a car accident any time of year. When you face financial damages because of your car accident injury, you have the right to seek compensation for these damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more, contact our team of Austin car accident lawyers at DJC Law today to schedule your free case evaluation with us.
