AA Accident Attorneys Shares Tips for Safe Holiday Travel

The holidays are upon us—and many families are already making travel arrangements. As you hit the road this holiday season, keep these safe driving tips in mind:

  • Mind the weather!
  • Check traffic before you go.
  • Avoid driving while tired.
  • Keep distractions at bay.
  • Take breaks when you need them.
  • Obey the rules of the road.
  • Know the name of a car accident attorney (just in case).

The holiday season is officially here—and with it, many families are making travel arrangements, planning to spend part of the season with friends or relatives. Holiday travel can be fun, but it’s not without its dangers. As you prepare to hit the road, make sure you do everything you can to minimize the risk of a highway accident.

To that end, here are a few seasonal driving tips and recommendations from the vehicle accident lawyers at AA Accident Attorneys.

Our Tips for Safe Driving this Holiday Season

Mind the weather. First and foremost, always check the weather before you get out on the road. Today’s weather apps make it easy to make informed predictions about what road conditions will be like. If the weather is bad, consider delaying your trip—or at the very least, starting early so that you can take your time to reach your destination and not feel the need to rush.

Check traffic before you go. Along similar lines, take advantage of Google Maps. See what traffic conditions are like before you get into the vehicle—and if you need to allow yourself some extra time, do so.

Avoid driving while tired. It can sometimes be tempting to drive through the night and avoid holiday shopping traffic—but that can ultimately backfire. Driving while sleepy is one of the biggest factors in accidents. Get a good night’s rest before any trip, and try to schedule your travels for a reasonable time of day.

Keep distractions away. The single biggest cause of highway accidents is distracted driving. Note that a distraction is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or your mind off what you’re doing. That means texting, phone calls, eating, drinking, even applying makeup. Always avoid these things when you’re behind the wheel.

Keep your car serviced. Take care of your vehicle and it will take care of you! Specifically, get an oil change, tire rotation, and basic inspection before you embark on any kind of prolonged holiday trek.

Obey the rules of the road. During the holiday season, you’re especially likely to hit traffic jams—which makes it more important than ever to uphold some basic safe driving technique. Specifically, we’ll mention tailgating—always a bad idea! Leave six to seven seconds of “follow time” between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Take breaks. When you drive for long distances, it’s vital to give your eyes a rest and your body a chance to rejuvenate. That means taking a break at least once ever two to three hours. Get out at a rest stop or gas station and just walk around for a few minutes, revitalizing your blood circulation.

Know the name of a good car accident lawyer. You can never be too prepared—so just to be on the safe side, we recommend having the name and number of a good car accident lawyer handy. If you’re in California, we invite you to reach out to AA Accident Attorneys during your hour of need.

Find a Car Accident Attorney Near You

We exhort you all to drive safely this holiday season—and if you do find yourself in need of a skilled and aggressive car accident attorney, give us a call. Our lawyers will fight hard for you to get the care and compensation you need—and we only get paid if you get paid! Learn more by reaching out to AA Accident Attorneys today.