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.