With Thanksgiving only a week away and the Holiday season just around the corner, millions of Americans will be traveling by car to visit friends and family across the country. The US Department of Transportation considers the week before Thanksgiving to be the busiest long distance travel period of the year, with long-distance driving trips increasing by 54%.
Taking a road trip to visit friends and family we don’t get to see often is one of the most enjoyable parts of this time of year. However, between the holiday festivities and the extra volume of cars on the road, drivers must be especially wary of drunk or impaired drivers.
In 2013, an estimated 436 drivers were involved in vehicle-related fatalities on Thanksgiving Day. And over 46,000 people were injured in car wrecks, many due to drunk drivers and distracted drivers.
Drunk driving plays a major role in the spike of accidents around Thanksgiving, but the increase in drunk driving accidents becomes even more severe towards the end of December. The US Department of Transportation estimates that drunk driving accidents cause an average of 27 deaths every day in December, and that drunk drivers play a role in 40% of all traffic deaths on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. That rate is 12% higher than at any other point in December.
If you are planning to travel this Holiday Season, The Yost Legal Group wants to remind you to be aware and be prepared. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind while behind the wheel:
- Always buckle up: Whether you’re driving across the state or just around the corner, never leave without first securing the seatbelts of everyone in the vehicle.
- Play it safe: We all have plans that we need to keep during the holidays, but always try to leave yourself extra time to arrive at your destination. Don’t rush, obey the posted speed limit and remember that arriving safe is always the number one priority.
- Drive defensively: You cannot control the actions of other drivers, but you can control your own conduct on the road. Defensive driving techniques like maintaining a safe 3-4 second following distance, using proper turn signals, avoiding distractions like your phone, and paying attention to other drivers on the road will help you avoid a dangerous situation.
- Be aware: Holiday parties mean that Law Enforcement in your area will be stepping up their efforts to prevent crashes and get impaired drivers off the road. Expect sobriety check points and an increased Law Enforcement presence on the road, and NEVER GET BEHIND THE WHEEL IF YOU’VE BEEN DRINKING.
At The Yost Legal Group, we wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season. However, if you or a loved one are injured by a drunk driver or in a car wreck that was not your fault, call the experienced Drunk Driving and Car Accident Attorneys at The Yost Legal Group right away at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529). Our experienced Baltimore injury attorneys will investigate your case thoroughly, and we will work hard to recover the maximum compensation for you.
Our experienced car accident lawyers know how to handle the big insurance companies and will make sure that your rights are protected. Let us help you receive the full compensation to which you are entitled under Maryland Law.
The Yost Legal Group, Experienced Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting your Rights.
