As we get into the holiday season, it’s a good time to think of some relaxing times spent at home with loved ones. Having a nice meal, meeting new spouses and grandchildren, or just coming together finally after a long time apart- it is a period of joy and togetherness.
For these reasons and more, it is of the utmost importance to watch yourself on the road. There are a lot of extra drivers out there on the freeway systems and in the local streets as well. Over three hundred people are estimated to die on the roads every year around December 25th. And driving by car is the most fatal way to travel by far, especially at this time of year.
Maintaining the safety of your loved ones, however, is just a matter of following some guidelines and keeping your wits about you.
It is important to have a map and directions handy in case your GPS lets you down. Being lost or confused on the road is a sure way to increase your chances of risky or insecure driving. You don’t want to be driving hesitantly when the road is full of other drivers that may be lost as well.
Look out for storms, flooding, blizzards, and more. Don’t be afraid to change your route, delay your start or even cancel your trip in the face of a major weather event. No one wants to miss a celebration, but sometimes it is worth it to learn to stay home.
A lot of holiday rides feature cars packed with cousins, grandparents, and even the family pets. It is very important to make sure to respect your car or van’s guidelines for the number of passengers who can safely travel within it. It is also essential that the drive be calm and quiet for the focus of the driver.
First-Aid kits, sub-zero-proof sleeping bags, emergency rations, and roadside flares can make all the difference in the world if you find yourself stranded. This is especially true in winter conditions. Even a couple of hours in a cold car can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and other serious medical issues. Having a charged cell phone is a smart way to be prepared, but the flares and survival equipment will come in handy if you are somewhere without cell phone service.
If the worst does happen and you do find yourself in an accident, make sure to follow the expected protocol: call the police, take pictures and witness information and get in touch with a qualified, local attorney. Stay calm and don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Most localities that expect snowfall every year are well prepared to rescue stranded drivers and deal with snowy crashes.
All these things considered, though, you should not face the holiday season with fear. But it is important to be as safe as possible. Everyone is headed to an important destination, and it is the responsibility of every driver, and passenger, to get there without danger.
blogs
Rearview Cameras and You
While it was in 2018 that the rearview camera requirement went into effect on all new vehicles, the whole debate started in 2008. That was the year Congress passed a law for automakers to take steps to increase visibility. The debate was prompted by a horrible tragedy where a father accidentally backed over his infant […]
5 Ways Parents can Encourage Safe Teen Driving
For teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a significant milestone. It marks the beginning of independence and instills a sense of responsibility. Most teen parents often share their children’s excitement but remain equally apprehensive since they’re well-aware of the dangers that come with driving. And they do have a perfectly valid reason to fret because […]
Five Things to Know About Bike Accidents in Arizona
Bicycling may be the way to go for sustainable transportation, but that’s all the more reason why anyone in Arizona should make sure to practice basic bicycle safety. Over 47 million people in the United States ride bicycles, and that number will likely increase as some urban centers move away from fossil fuels and even […]
5 Things Cyclists Should Do After a Bike Accident in California
Biking, especially on a highway, is a fun and an adrenaline-filled way to keep fit and explore what California has to offer. At the same time, it’s also a dangerous activity as the chances of being rear-ended by a motorist in California are pretty high. Unfortunately, when a bicycle accident happens, most cyclists often have […]
Involved In A Car Accident? Here’s Why You Should Engage a Car Accident Lawyer
It is never easy to live a normal life after surviving the horrors of a severe car wreck. In the United States alone, millions of individuals get injured in car accidents every year. According to research, most of these disasters are caused by several factors that include speeding, inattentive driving, inexperienced driving, reckless driving, and […]
Getting the Best Price on Your Auto Insurance Policy
Keeping everything with your vehicle in the best shape can seem like a job with a lot of moving parts. Maintenance, safety, registration, insurance, etc.! While keeping your insurance on auto-draft every billing cycle is a great way to keep it out of sight and out of mind, it can also be a great way […]
Pedestrian Safety in Cold Weather
When it’s cold outside, people drive worse than they did before. If you’re a pedestrian, you need to take extra precautions during the cold weather and, if you’re driving, you need to keep an extra eye out for pedestrians who are even harder to see, especially if snow is lowering your visibility. Safety is always […]
Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles as a mode of transportation are inherently moredangerous than others. Because of this, motorcycle drivers have an extra onus on them to be the safest drivers possible. Many motorcycle accidents are caused due to careless motorcycle driving, and while you may think you’re one of the safe ones, anyone can be caught off guard. […]
Facts About Workers Compensation Claims
Getting injured on the job happens quite frequently, which is why many employers keep an eye out for workplace injuries and often do not take them seriously. It is important that you take your own workplace injury seriously, meaning to seek medical treatment right away and to know your options for workplace injury compensation. Your […]
Car Airbag Injuries: What You Need to Know
Car airbags are designed to save lives in the event of a car crash. They are among the most innovative, auto-safety features of recent decades, and have even been proven effective in reducing driver mortality. However, even though efficient, airbags are sometimes the reason behind fatalities. We explore various airbag defects, the type of injuries […]
contact form
