The holiday season brings with it celebrations, drinking,
vacation, and time to travel to be with family. Yet, these joys also bring some
risks when people get behind the wheel. Exhaustion from holiday travel,
drinking and driving, and bad weather can all contribute to car accidents in
Austin, Texas in December. So what are some of the dangers of holiday driving
you should be aware of, and what can you do to protect yourself and your
family?
1.
Drinking
and driving. Family and friends get together to celebrate the season and
often these parties involve the consumption of alcohol. Make sure that if you
plan to drink that you have a clear plan for how you’ll get home. Have a
designated driver, plan to call a cab or an Uber car, or use public
transportation, if possible. Even just one or two drinks can impair your
decision-making behind the wheel. Combine this with bad weather, slick roads,
or snow, and accidents are much more likely. According to MADD,
every two minutes another person’s life is changed forever due to injury from a
drunk driving accident. Don’t become another statistic.
2.
Distracted
driving. Put away the cell phone while traveling to visit loved ones this
holiday season. Spending longer periods of time in a car may increase your
temptation to pick up the phone and send updates to loved ones about when
you’ll be arriving. Remember—it’s better to arrive late than to not arrive at
all. If you must send an e-mail or text message, many highways now have rest
stops and texting lots where you can safely make your call or send your
message.
3.
Driving
while sleepy. Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving while
intoxicated. If you’re traveling to visit relatives or loved ones or will be
driving home from many late parties, plan for tiredness the same way you’d plan
for drinking. If you know you tend to be tired after a certain time in the
evening, either have a designated driver or call a cab. Plan your driving
itinerary home realistically. Rather than trying to drive 14 hours in one day,
break your travel into two or even three days. Your body will thank you, you’ll
be safer, and you’ll have a more enjoyable trip.
4.
Wear your
seatbelt. Holiday pressures and distraction can make it easier to forget
the important little details that keep us safe. Always wear your seatbelt. The C.D.C. urges all passengers
to wear their seatbelts. You may be a safe driver, but other drivers may be
drunk or tired. Make sure your children are properly restrained in
age-appropriate seats. The new year is a good time to make sure that your child
is in the right seat.
5.
Check the
weather. Winter driving is hazardous. Roads are icy. Snow can make roads
impassable or slick. And snow plows or salt trucks may not have time to clear
the roads before you get there. Check the weather before long trips and change
your itinerary if there’s bad weather on one of your possible routes. If you
don’t have to go out in bad weather, stay inside.
Auto accidents during the holiday
season are tragic. Car accident lawyers like Chris Robson with Robson Law Firm in Austin Texas see far too many ruined holiday plans
due to preventable accidents every year. Take care, celebrate responsibly, and
don’t let your friends and family drink and drive.
If you have been hurt or injured in a car or truck accident in Austin, visit Robson Law Firm at www.robsonlawfirm.com for answers to your legal questions.
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