The Thanksgiving holiday can be a great time to celebrate with family,
catch up with friends, and relax while watching some football. Unfortunately,
between drunk drivers, heavy traffic, and fatigued motorists, Thanksgiving
can also be one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Whether
you are headed across the country or just across town, if you are planning
to travel over this holiday season, reviewing the tips below may help
you get to your destination safely.
1.Stay off your cell phone: Not only is using a cellphone while driving a dangerous distraction, if
you are texting, it can also be illegal. While you may want to let your
relatives know where you are, it is better to save those conversations
for when you are not behind the wheel. With the added hazards from increased
traffic and holiday stress, it is important to give as much focus to driving
safely as possible.
2.Stay calm when behind the wheel: Thanksgiving often brings with it a surge of traffic and the farther you
are traveling, the more likely it is that you will be caught on congested
roads. If another motorist is driving less than optimally, remember to
keep your cool. Anger can negatively affect your overall concentration
and can hinder your ability to drive safely.
3.Avoid fatigued driving: The preparation for a family gathering or trip can make it difficult to
get a good night’s sleep, however, a long drive can be exhausting.
Being well-rested can keep you in the right mindset to make good driving
decisions. If you find that you are too tired to drive while behind the
wheel, consider pulling over or changing drivers. While it may be tempting
to “push through” in order to hit the next stop on a trip,
fatigued driving is dangerous driving and if you are tired, it may be
time to take a break.
While you may be following the rules of the road and taking extra precautions,
other drivers may not. For this reason, it can be equally important to
stay focused and watch for signs of erratic driving. If you see that another
motorist is exhibiting reckless behavior, steer clear of their path or
avoid them entirely if possible.
If you are involved in an accident this Thanksgiving, our New Orleans personal
injury attorneys can help you understand the nature of your claim as well
as the legal issues you may face in the case ahead.
Call (504) 470-3935 and put more than 35 years of experience to work for
you. Request a free case evaluation today.