How Can You Stay Safe While Traveling for the Holidays?
Whether you look forward to or dread the winter holidays, one thing is certain: traffic and drivers can get out of control. Not only do you have stressed-out motorists on the roads, but there is also less daylight, poor weather, and intoxicated and distracted drivers. With all of these risk factors, how can you avoid a car accident while traveling for the holidays?
Do Not Drive While Distracted
A working cell phone is invaluable when your car breaks down during your travels, however, make sure to put it on Do Not Disturb mode otherwise. Talking, texting, and scrolling through your social media feed takes your eyes, hands, and concentration away from the road and can cause a car accident.
Should you need to deal with a message, pull over somewhere safe. Checking your phone at a traffic light is unwise and can easily cause an accident. If your car is Bluetooth-enabled, connect your phone before starting your trip. Enter the route into your GPS before you start driving as well to avoid having to enter information while you are on the road.
Plan Ahead of Time
Before heading out on the road, write down everything you need to accomplish. Make a shopping list, and plan out a route. Give yourself some extra time since you will likely encounter traffic and long lines at gas stations. Check your fuel gauge, listen to the traffic and weather reports, and bring along an extra phone charger, water, snacks, and an emergency kit.
Make Sure Travel Companions Are Safe and Occupied
Will you be taking other passengers in your car? Prepare for their needs as well to prevent unnecessary distractions. Place your pet in a crate or safety harness, and bring along things to keep your children busy, such as books, soft toys, and healthy snacks.
Avoid getting into heated discussions or arguments, and do not turn your head to look into the back of the car. When your passengers are rowdy, pull over somewhere safe to handle the situation.
Drive Defensively
You can expect to see plenty of frustrated and aggressive drivers on the roads this holiday season. You should remain calm and not worry about aggressive drivers cutting you off.
Additionally, do not exceed posted speed limits, and do not tailgate, even if someone is driving slowly. Stay patient, and pass only when it is safe. Use the three-second rule for following, and allow for extra room around large trucks since they have larger blind spots.
Do Not Drink and Drive
Should you have plans to have a few drinks or more at a holiday event, arrange for a ride home. Designated drivers might not always be reliable, but you should not have to worry about that with a ridesharing service. Just remember that ridesharing services will be busy this time of the year.
New Brunswick Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help Drivers Who Have Been Injured in Holiday Accidents
A major crash can ruin the holidays and change your life forever. If you need legal assistance after a car accident, speak with one of our New Brunswick car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr. Call us at 732-537-8570 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients in New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, Colonia, Elizabeth, and Newark.
