Tips to Avoid Serious Accidents during the New Year Holiday

The holidays are a time for cheer and celebrating with loved ones. With the New Year Holiday just around the corner, many of us are likely preparing to ring in 2012 with friends and loved ones. The roads are often crowded during this time of the year with motorists heading to holiday parties or into the city. A combination of different factors, including inclement weather, does make this period a particularly dangerous one for auto accidents. Statistics show there are more traffic collisions this time of year than any other month. Here are some tips from the National Safety Commission (NSC) to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.
The number of pedestrian accidents is high this time of year. Motorists should be conscious of pedestrian crossways and cautious in areas heavily saturated with people walking on the sidewalks. Pedestrian deaths make up about 12 percent of traffic fatalities every year. About 4,000 pedestrians are killed in accidents every year.
The NSC also reports more than 2,000 fatal traffic accidents are related to alcohol during the holiday season. Always designate a driver if you are attending holiday parties and plan on consuming alcohol. If you see a driver on the road who appears intoxicated, please call the police and report the driver immediately.
Distracted driving is also a serious hazard, which accounts for more than 5,000 deaths every year. The NSC reminds motorists to stay off cell phones and pay attention to the road. It is illegal to text while driving in New York as it is to talk on a cell phone without a hands-free headset or speakerphone. If you are heading into the tri-state area, you should be alert and aware of deer while driving in rural areas or areas outside the city. Collisions with deer account for 500,000 accidents and 100 deaths every year.
Even if you are diligent, follow these tips, and drive safely, accidents can still happen because of someone else’s negligence. Negligent drivers can include drivers who ignore traffic laws, are driving distracted, or are operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If you or a loved has been injured in New York traffic accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm may be able to help. Please call us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in 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 phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
www.work4youlaw.com