Over 40 million drivers hit the road on Thanksgiving to visit family. With this number of people on streets and highways across the nation, drivers need to follow come crucial safety tips. This is especially important when dealing with not only other drivers, but when dealing with intense weather conditions. Though this time of the year is for celebrating family, it can also be one of the most dangerous times to be on roads and highways across the nation. Car accident lawyers see an influx of accident cases this time around, but there are ways for drivers to avoid becoming another statistic.
Plan Ahead
It’s important to know ahead of time where your destination is in terms of exit name, street number, etc. This might sound odd when it comes to visiting family, but often people visit distant relatives for Thanksgiving. If you’re going to be visiting family members you might not frequently visit, you might require GPS assistance. Plan out your route before you hit the road so that you can avoid driving distracted.
Car accident lawyers will tell you that distracted driving is one of the most common causes of an auto accident.
Pay Attention to Weather Reports
Toward the end of November, the weather tends to take a turn for the worst. From intense snowfall to heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures, driving conditions get extremely more challenging. Before making your way to your Thanksgiving destination, monitor the weather. Make sure to check when it will be safest to travel.
During the winter, car accident lawyers see hundreds of accidents involving motorists who weren’t driving cautiously in extreme weather.
Vehicle Maintenance
Making sure that your vehicle is maintained correctly can be a lifesaver. Before you begin driving, make sure that your tires are correctly inflated, as fluctuating temperatures can have an impact on tire pressure. You should also make sure that all of your lights are working correctly to ensure other drivers can see you on the road. This includes your headlights, taillights, signal lights and your brake lights.
One more crucial aspect of vehicle maintenance is to test your battery. A weak battery exposed to harsh winter weather can fail, leaving you and your family stranded on the side of the road.
Following these safety tips will ensure you and your family’s safety this Thanksgiving season, but if we know accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact the car accident lawyers here at Robert J. DeBry and Associates for a free initial consultation.