Did you know that the time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day is one of the peak times for roadway accidents? A not so great fact if “I’ll be home for Christmas” is one of your goals. To keep you and your fellow travelers safe during your holiday and New Year’s travels, take a moment to review why caution is needed this season:
- Road Conditions: Traveling through hills of white in a one-horse open sleigh sound may sound downright magical, traveling through a snow-covered highway in a car without 4-wheel drive can be a downright nightmare. Even the smallest amount of snow can make the roadways slippery and hazardous. Make it a habit to check road conditions before you head out. If weather forecasters are calling for inclement weather, consider altering your travel plans.
- Traffic Congestion: You can tell it is the holiday season when it seems like there are more people on the road than ever before. During the holidays, traffic congestion is everywhere. Remember, that navigating in congestion requires a driver’s complete attention and a sack full of patience. If you find yourself becoming frustrated, keep in mind that losing one’s cool never helped anyone get to where they were going any faster.
- Fatigued Drivers: During this time of year, people are often so busy that they find themselves burning the candle at both ends of the stick. They are early to rise to get to work, but also out late with last minute shopping and holiday parties. With so many things to do before the big day arrives who can afford to sleep? Sadly, too many drivers fall victim driving on too little shut-eye. Drowsy drivers are not only a danger to themselves but also to everyone on the road with them. A recent study found that motorists who had between 6 and 7 hours of sleep a night were two times as likely to be involved in a car accident compared to motorists who had at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
- Aggressive Driving Behaviors: Let’s face it, not everyone handles the pressures of the holiday well which means that you are likely to encounter motorists who are scraping the bottom of their patience barrel. Be on the lookout for drivers who are honking the horn, weaving in and out of lanes, speeding, tailgating, and lane-blocking—all signs of an aggressive driver. Aggressive driving or road rage is a leading cause of accidents, so do yourself a favor and steer clear of drivers who are taking their frustrations out on the road.
- Impaired Drivers: Unfortunately, Christmas trees are not the only things “lit” this time of year. While it okay to enjoy a cup of cheer if you are of legal drinking age, do not indulge if you are the person in charge of driving the sleigh home. If you do plan to hit the eggnog, plan to call a rideshare service, a cab or take public transportation.
If you suffered serious injuries after being involved in an accident this holiday season, it is important to contact a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorney who can protect your rights! The Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have more than 60 years of combined experience, helping accident victims in both Kansas and Missouri. Our seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will fight to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. To see how our seasoned team of Injury Attorneys can help you, call Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.