The holiday season is among the busiest times of the year for many Americans. Statistics indicate it can also be particularly dangerous for motorists.
There are various reasons this is the case. For instance, many spend their free time shopping during the holidays. This results in more vehicles being on the road. The more vehicles on the road, the greater the odds accidents will occur.
Many travels during the holiday season as well. This also contributes to high traffic levels.
Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents resulting from intoxication may also be more common on and around major holidays. This is due to the fact that many overindulge in alcohol when celebrating with family and friends.
This isn’t meant to discourage you from enjoying what should be a joyful time of year. It’s meant to encourage you to practice safe driving habits during the holidays. To minimize your chances of being involved in an accident, keep these tips in mind:
Always Have a Plan for Getting Home Safely
Too many intoxicated drivers begin their nights promising themselves they won’t drink more than they should. However, upon arriving at holiday parties, their resolve weakens, and they end up drinking more than they’d planned to.
Having not made other plans for getting home, they get behind the wheel while intoxicated. The positive emotions generated from spending time with loved ones might even prevent them from realizing how intoxicated they are.
Don’t assume you’ll be able to restrict yourself to just one drink at a holiday party. If you’re going to be attending one, make sure you have a plan for getting home safely if you end up drinking too much. This can involve assigning someone the role of a designated driver, calling a cab, scheduling a ride with a rideshare service, or taking public transportation if this is an option.
Try to Stay Off the Road Late At Night
Accidents are generally most common between the hours of midnight and 3:00 AM. This is true regardless of the time of year.
Many who are driving late at night or in the early morning hours have been drinking. Even if they haven’t, they might be very tired.
Try not to drive during these hours when celebrating the holidays. Even if this means leaving a party earlier than you’d like to, staying off the road between midnight and 3:00 AM can play a critical role in your safety.
Manage Your Emotions
The holiday season is supposed to be one of happiness. That said, many know it can also be a stressful time of year, as they attempt to purchase gifts for loved ones while rushing to complete end-of-year work projects.
These stressors can make drivers more prone to road rage. Don’t let this happen to you. Allowing stress to influence your behavior on the road can lead to an accident.
However, even if you make smart choices while driving during the holidays, you can’t control others’ behavior. It’s therefore possible you’ll be harmed in a motor vehicle accident resulting from someone else’s negligence.
You may be eligible to recover compensation if so. Our car accident lawyers at Russell & Hill, PLLC can help you secure what you deserve in these circumstances. Learn more by calling us at 800-529-0842 for a free consultation.