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The holidays are an exciting time when we get to spend more days visiting with friends and family. This also means that we tend to spend more time driving during the holiday season. Let’s go over some risk factors you should be especially aware of over the upcoming months.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. You may find yourself distracted by numerous things as you travel, including:
- Calls and texts from family members regarding your plans
- The Internet on your smartphone
- Kids making noise in the backseat
- Holiday decorations in people’s yards or along the roads
Remember to always keep your attention on the road so that you leave yourself enough time to react to unexpected obstacles.
2. Drunk Driving
The average American’s drinking habits increase by 100% over the holidays. This is something that you should be aware of while traveling.
If you plan on drinking at your festivities, make sure you have a way to get home safely and without a DWI.
If you are a sober driver, be cautious of impaired drivers on the road.
Signs that a driver may be intoxicated include:
- Swerving
- Excessive speeding
- Abrupt braking
- Failure to follow road signs
3. Pressured Driving
While everyone wants the holidays to be a relaxing time, there is almost always additional stress that comes along with the season. There is a need to get to different places at certain times, creating pressure for the driver to arrive on schedule.
If you’re running late to an event, remember that it’s worth being 30 minutes late if it saves you from a car accident.
4. Fatigue
The holidays can be exhausting. Maybe you’re tired from marathon cooking, socializing with your large family, or coordinating activities with your kids. If you’re fatigued behind the wheel, it can lead to serious consequences.
If your strong fatigue will affect your driving, or even cause you to doze off behind the wheel, don’t drive.
5. Inclement Weather
This past winter, Texas got a record amount of snow. Because many of us aren’t used to driving in these conditions, it can be very dangerous when we are met with unexpected winter weather. Snow and rain can affect a driver’s visibility and cover the roads with a thin sheet of ice. If you have to drive in these conditions, take extreme caution and drive below the speed limit if needed.