Celebrate the Holidays with Style and Safety
The holiday season is a time of joy, kindness, and spending time with loved ones. Unfortunately for some, it can also be a time of stress.
Let us take the anxiety out of at least one part of your holiday picture: your commute. According to research from AAA, the holidays can be some of the most dangerous times to drive each year. Thanksgiving, New Year’s, and Christmas particularly stand out.
Banish concerns of accidents and injuries from your thoughts by checking out our list of safe holiday trips. Whether you’re weaving through the Everglades region or sojourning down I-75 to visit family, take solace in knowing that you’re prepared for what’s ahead.
Stay Alert for Tricky Weather Conditions
Unlike most other parts of the country, Florida doesn’t really get much snowfall. It happens every few years in the state’s northern regions, but it’s not something the average Floridian comes to expect. Frost, however, is much more common.
Don’t let the usually sunny weather conditions lull you into a false state of security. If there’s any frost on the ground, drive at a slower, more manageable speed until roads are completely clear. Even slightly wet surfaces can be deceptively dangerous.
If you’re traveling out-of-state for the holidays , consider equipping your vehicle with snow tires. Mother Nature and her snowstorms look less fondly upon other states; be prepared for slick roads.
Take the Vehicle in for a Tune-Up
The winter months, either for weather or increased distance traveled, can be notoriously hard on a set of wheels, so make sure your vehicle is in ship shape for smooth sailing. Regular check-ups are important, but they take special priority during the winter season.
Have your personal mechanic check:
- Tire pressure
- Tire tread depth
- Antifreeze
- Oil levels
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Heater
- Brakes
- Battery condition
In the same vein of preparation, consider stocking your vehicle with an emergency kit. It should have:
- Snowbrush
- Blankets
- Dried food
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- Signal lares
- Extra clothes
- Bottled water
- Spare tire
Ideally, it will never amount to anything besides car decoration. But, if the worst case scenario arrives, you’ll be prepared and much more safe.
Beware of Other Drivers
There’s no bigger threat to your well-being during the holiday season than other drivers.
The holiday season, on average, increases traffic flow nearly everywhere across the state. Holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah bring more people shopping, which leads to crowded shopping areas and parking lot accidents. When specific holidays arrive, people are much more likely to be on the road and, ultimately, at risk to one another.
The nighttime is especially dangerous, as there’s both reduced visibility and an increased presence of inebriated drivers. Some people take celebration a step too far.
When driving in the immediate proximity of a holiday where unsafe drivers may be at top risk, take standard safe driving practices further. Keep your lights on, give sufficient space between cars near you, drive more slowly, and block out unnecessary distractions. Spend time with friends and family; not counseling with an attorney/lawyer over an accident.
Get The Help & Resources You Deserve
If you or your passenger has been injured in a car accident, lost a loved one as a result of the accident, or if you would like more information about other serious injury cases click here or contact Glotzer & Kobren, P.A. injury lawyers Boca Raton at 561-361-8677.
