The holidays can bring out the best or the worst in drivers. Getting into an accident means you might have to seek legal advice and go through the effort of negotiations or a trial for compensation, and that’s something few people want to have to go through. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to avoid collisions with drivers who aren’t being cautious.
Plan ahead
The first thing you should do is prepare for your travels. If you’re going to be having lunch at your mom’s and dad’s house at noon, make sure you leave plenty of time to get there without rushing. More drivers hit the roads during the holidays, slowing down traffic and resulting in backups from accidents, so save yourself from stress by making sure you’re running early instead of late.
Drive safely and look for those who aren’t
Driving safely is an important part of staying out of accidents. Don’t speed, weave in or out of traffic or take your focus off the roads. If you see someone driving dangerously, do yourself and others a favor by reporting it to the police. The police can find the driver and pull him or her over if they believe that the driver has been reckless.
Strap in the kids
Kids can be some of the most distracting people in your vehicle if they’re getting up and moving around. Before you hit the road, make sure yours are strapped in. If they want to unstrap themselves, make sure to explain why staying strapped in and sitting down is so important. If your kids unbuckle themselves, pull over to buckle them back in — don’t try to do so at a red light or while you’re driving.
Stop and get out of the way for emergency vehicles
People might be in a rush, but that doesn’t excuse failing to pull over for an emergency vehicle. If you hear sirens, look and see where they’re coming from. Get out of the way if you are hindering the vehicle’s progress by blocking the lane. Stay at a complete stop until the vehicle passes, and then slowly return to your lane with caution.
Drive like your life depends on it
At the end of the day, no one can stop a dangerous driver from colliding with someone else. Accidents happen, but being defensive can help you avoid the actions of others. If you see a car weaving, back off or speed up to avoid being near it. If you see someone speeding up behind you, move over and let that car pass. Always have at least two seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you, so you have enough time to stop if th e car ahead of you does.
Stay aware and drive safely, and you can have a safe holiday season.