With the holidays fast approaching, you are probably anticipating an exciting season with plenty of opportunities to interact and spend time with loved ones and friends. Although the holiday season presents a fun-filled atmosphere with lots of parties and family gatherings, it also increases the risk of driving-related accidents, which often prove fatal.
If you are planning on driving around with your family and friends this holiday season, your safety should be of utmost priority. To help you ensure your safety on the road during the festivities, we have compiled a list of tips and practices you should employ while driving.
Do Not Drink and Drive
The temptation to overindulge in alcohol during the holiday season can be too strong to resist. However, while there is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol and having fun with friends, you should refrain from jeopardizing your life and safety in the process. As a driver, you should desist from driving under the influence of alcohol as it can impair your judgment and make you more prone to accidents.
Prepare in Advance before Departure
If you intend to take a long road trip, you need to prepare yourself adequately before setting off on your trip. This includes getting your car inspected and serviced beforehand, as well as seeking information on the condition of roads you intend to use.
Get Enough Rest Before Driving
Driving while fatigued can greatly increase the risk of road accidents, since it reduces focus and concentration. If you are planning on driving long distances, ensure you get enough sleep before setting off, and take intermittent breaks to rest during your journey. This will allow you to refresh your body and mind, so that you can concentrate better when driving in order to avoid accidents.
Avoid Distractions While Driving
With so many activities happening during the holiday season, it can be very easy to get distracted while driving. Texting while driving is especially one of the most common culprits for distracted driving, which can lead to serious accidents. Try abstaining from texting or checking notifications while driving in order to reduce distractions while driving.
Maintain a Reasonable Speed
Driving during the holiday season can be very stressful due to congestion on the road. If you have destinations to reach and schedules to keep, you may be tempted to push your speed limit when driving. This however, is a very unwise action to take since it can greatly increase the risk of fatal road accidents. It is therefore important that you keep a reasonable speed limit. Getting to your destination safely is more important than getting there fast.
Trail Vehicles at a Safe Distance
Rear-end collisions are undoubtedly one of the most common types of traffic accidents on roads regardless of the time of the year. In order to avoid ramming into cars while driving, ensure that you follow the vehicles in front at a safe distance, preferably 5 to 10 meters. This will allow you to respond appropriately to sudden turns and change of lanes by other motorists to avoid collisions.
When it’s all said and done, you need to keep the contact of your car accident attorney with you so that you can consult readily in case you get involved in an accident.