Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with families eager to recharge, reconnect and enjoy good food and even better company. In fact, in 2023 alone, AAA predicted that over 3 million people drove more than 50 miles to their destinations for the holiday – and we can expect to see a similar turnout on our roads again this year. If that statistic sounds familiar, it’s because you probably read it in our law firm’s monthly newsletter for November!
Among the riskiest holidays for drivers, Thanksgiving is right up there, and the Sunshine State just happens to be the most dangerous destination for travel spanning November and December. Why are these facts important? All are reasons to practice responsible driving, especially if you’re carrying precious cargo, and we’re sharing four tips for staying safe behind the wheel.
Don’t Be Distracted By Your Phone: Holiday plans are exciting, and it’s easy to be distracted by messages from navigation apps and texts from loved ones who want to catch up or know where you are on the road. Keep your phone on “silent” or “do not disturb,” and let your front-seat passenger take over navigation duties. Think about this – if you’re driving on the interstate, texting can take your eyes off the road for at least the entire length of a football field.
Avoid Eating and Other Tasks As the Driver: Believe it or not, other “secondary tasks,” such as eating and driving, applying makeup, reaching for an object on the floor can be more dangerous than talking on the phone, according to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Avoid reaching into fast food bags, and have your passengers secure anything loose that may be rolling around underneath seats or near your feet.
Don’t Stress and Get Enough Rest: The holidays can be pretty stressful, especially if you’re driving a few or many hours to your destination. On these trips, it’s easy to start feeling drowsy, which AAA found to be comparable to drunk driving. Missing just two to three hours of sleep a day can more than quadruple your risk of causing an accident. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before traveling, park at rest stops to stretch your legs and, if you have passengers, take shifts in the driver’s seat.
Buckle Up… Always: As experienced local attorneys, it’s something we can’t stress enough. Before hitting the road, ensure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seatbelt – and wearing it properly. According to the NHTSA, around 15,000 accident victims’ lives are saved every year because of seatbelts. In fact, as a front-seat passenger, these devices can limit your chance of moderate to fatal injuries by 50%.
If You’re Injured, You Can Always Call Us
At Gallagher & Hagopian, our entire team hopes you have a safe and exciting Thanksgiving spent with the people in your life who matter most. If you’re injured in an accident over the holiday, call 9-1-1, take photos, gather documentation, get evaluated by medical professionals and call us. With over 75 years of combined experience and over 300 million recovered for accident victims, we’re ready to hear your story and fight for you.