Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous holidays to be on the road, according to research by the National Safety Council. Turkey Day comes third only to Independence Day and Memorial Day as the number-one day for car accidents nationwide. With millions of Americans driving rather than flying to holiday events, it’s not hard to see why the numbers spike – but it is sobering to see how high they go.
For example:
• The National Safety Council estimates that 418 car accident deaths and 44,700 injuries will occur this Thanksgiving weekend, based on statistics from previous years.
• Over 46.3 million Americans are expected to drive this year: a 4.2 percent increase from last year and the highest number since 2007.
To reduce your risk of being one of these grim statistics, commit to careful driving this Thanksgiving. Here are a few steps you can take to keep everyone in your car safer and happier:
• Wear seatbelts every time. Make sure everyone in the car is buckled up: adults in seat belts, children in appropriate safety seats.
• Put away the cell phone. Have another responsible person in the car help you navigate, and save your cell phone for rest stops or your destination.
• Drive more cautiously in bad weather. Check the weather report, carry extra blankets, flares, and a shovel, and be ready to spend the night if it’s too dangerous to drive.
•Never drive if you’ve been drinking. Instead, get a designated driver, take public transportation, or get a hotel room.
Happy Black Friday? Not so fast. Independence Day Weekend Driving Dangers Linger After the Holiday – and so do driving dangers after Thanksgiving. Slow down, stay alert, and practice defensive driving.
Call our Washington D.C. auto accident attorneys for a free consultation about your potential case.