Between the weather, rushed schedules and parties, holiday driving becomes hazardous. It’s easy to be careless with all the holiday pressure, but with time and attention, you can avoid accidents this time of year. Here are some safe driving tips:
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- Never drive impaired: Designate a sober driver if you plan to indulge at that office holiday party or bar-hopping with friends. If you have any doubt about your or your driver’s sobriety, call an Uber, and arrive home safely.
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- Slow down: Many accidents this time of year happen due to poor weather. Even in Florida, we get wind, rain, and ice storms which can turn roads into perilous obstacle courses. Expect travel to be slower, and add 10 to 15 minutes to your commute time when planning.
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- Reduce distractions: Holiday demands present the temptation to multitask. Don’t give in while driving! Distracted driving is a growing problem that causes many deadly accidents. Your phone can wait. Don’t let it take priority over safety.
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- Use car seats and boosters: When driving with children, use age and size-appropriate car seats and boosters. Don’t let time pressures lead to shortcuts. Also, take time to install the seats correctly.
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- Supervise teen drivers: Teenage drivers face special challenges during the holiday season due to inexperience, in-car distractions, and lower seat belt use. You may want additional rules for them this time of year, like limiting nighttime driving and passengers. Put these rules in a written agreement so you are on the same page.
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- Use well-lit streets: Older drivers especially have trouble driving at night. If nighttime driving is challenging, use well-lit streets with left turn signals. Get your eyes checked regularly to solve any problems with night vision early.
These tips should make holiday driving a breeze. But you can still sustain injuries due to someone else’s carelessness. If that happens, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL, auto accident lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.