With the New Year upon us, many of us will be driving through cities, states, and even across the country to celebrate with family and friends. Whether you’re heading over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house or simply across town, no one wants their 2019 ruined by a traffic accident or citation, so make sure that you’re following these holiday safety tips:
Buckle Up
Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to stay safe in a vehicle. Additionally, in 49 out of 50 states, wearing your safety belt is no longer optional. New Hampshire is the only state that does not have a mandatory safety belt law. And in 29 states, these laws cover the front and rear seat occupants.
Don’t Drive Distracted
Distracted drivers are one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. Stay focused on the road and avoid texting, checking, and talking on your phone while driving. If you’re driving for some distance, make sure to take breaks to avoid fatigue and/or switch drivers. Also, assign a navigator to handle the GPS or other driving instructions so that the driver is not fumbling with the phone or map. If you’re traveling alone, use a dash mount so that you can see the GPS device without taking your eyes off the road for long.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Plan ahead if you’re attending holiday parties where alcohol will be served. Who will be the designated driver or is it preferable to call a cab, Uber or Lyft? Avoid driving between midnight and 3 a.m. as this is when the majority of drinking and driving accidents occur.
Drive defensively
Stay aware of other drivers and be mindful of those who may have had a few too many cups of eggnog at their holiday party and are operating their vehicles recklessly. Similarly be on the lookout for distracted drivers who are prone to drift out of their lanes or fail to stop. Follow traffic laws and allow plenty of space between your vehicle and others so you have additional time to react.
