AAA estimates that the 2022 holiday season will be the busiest in recent years.
The organization says about 112.7 million people will journey 50 miles or more away from home between Dec. 23 and January. This makes 2022 the third busiest travel holiday since 2000. Nearly 102 million Americans will drive to their holiday destinations, AAA reports, and that even with higher gas prices, this holiday season could see as many as 2 million more drivers compared to 2021.
Even without such a surge in road travel, the holiday season brings a number of unique challenges while driving. This time of the year, drivers encounter inclement weather such as snow and ice, limited daylight and traveling to unfamiliar areas. The risk for major injury car accidents is much higher during the holidays, statistics show.
Five Tips for Safer Road Travel
1. Be sure to plan ahead.
Before you begin your trip, make sure your vehicle is ready for travel. This can be critical when you are driving in bad weather. Check the weather forecast before you head out and make sure roads are safe. Carry a windshield scraper with you and an emergency kit just in case you get stranded.
2. Get enough rest before the trip.
Make sure you are well rested and get sufficient sleep before a long drive. Drowsy driving can be a major factor in car accidents during the holiday season. If possible take turns at the wheel and take regular breaks in between. Driving while drowsy is also considered negligent (careless) driving. When a driver causes an accident while driving drowsy, he or she can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused.
3. Watch your speed.
Give yourself enough time to get to your destination by planning ahead. For every 1% increase in speed, the chance of getting into a serious injury accident increases. Stick to the speed limit. Adjust your speed depending on traffic, roadway and the weather conditions. Make sure there is sufficient room between you and the vehicle ahead. This gives you enough time to stop and avoid a crash.
4. Do not drive impaired.
The holidays are a time for gatherings with friends and family. If you consume alcoholic beverages, do not drive. There are a number of ride options available to get home safely. Driving under the influence is a crime under New York law. Drivers who operate under the influence can also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses they cause.
5. Avoid distractions while driving.
Driving is an activity that requires your full, undivided attention. Distractions are not just limited to cell phones, GPS or other in-vehicle electronics. Any activity that takes your hands away from the wheel, eyes off the road or attention away from driving, is a distraction. Examples of distractions while driving include fiddling with the radio, eating, drinking, applying makeup, talking to passengers, etc.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 51 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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