Beware of These Four Dangerous Holiday Driving Hazards

The following are four of the most dangerous holiday driving hazards and what you can do to stay safe:

1. Pressured driving. The holidays can be a stressful time, and the need to reach your destination on time only adds to the pressure. Sitting in traffic for hours at a time does nothing to make this better, but it is important not to allow frustration or impatience to dictate how you drive. Remember, it is not worth jeopardizing the safety of you, your family, and other drivers by speeding or driving aggressively. It is better to arrive at your destination a little bit behind schedule than to have your holiday ruined by a traffic ticket, or worse, an accident.
2. Distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous at any time of the year, but the danger is compounded by holiday traffic. Using a cell phone, GPS device, or map, eating, or even singing or talking loudly behind the wheel can provide enough distraction to cause an accident, so make sure you put away anything that could cause your attention to wander and keep your eyes on the road at all times.
3. Fatigued driving. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that those who get only six to seven hours of sleep per night are two times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who receive eight hours or more per night. Before setting out on your trip, get a good night’s sleep. If you feel yourself getting sleepy while you are driving, pull over to a safe place and rest before continuing on.
4. Impaired driving. The holidays mean lots of dinner parties and celebrations that often involve the consumption of alcohol, and unfortunately, the number of DUI-related car accidents, many of which are fatal, dramatically increases during this time of year. Avoid drinking if you plan to drive!

We at Suzuki Law Offices wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

If you have been injured in a car accident, please contact a Phoenix car accident lawyer at our firm for a free consultation: (602) 682-5270.