Did you know that holiday travel has actually increased substantially from pre-pandemic levels? About half of all Americans say they are planning to travel during the holidays, which means crowded roadways and a lot more holiday travel dangers.
If you’re planning on traveling this holiday season by car, then avoiding car accidents will be a top priority. Below, we’ve compiled some holiday travel safety tips to help you avoid some of the most pressing dangers associated with the holiday season. Most notably, the holidays bring in more road hazards like increased traffic, winter weather, more distracted driving, holiday delays, and more DUIs. Empower yourself to drive as safely as possible by learning our top tips below.
Winter Weather Driving Hazards
Harsh winter weather is common in New York and New Jersey, especially during December and January. You can expect things like snow, ice, poor visibility, salt on the roadways, and even slushy slippery conditions in some areas. Depending on recent snowfalls, packed up snow on the side of the roads can also pose a hazard. If you know that a recent snowstorm occurred, then you’ll also need to watch out for things like downed trees, branches, powerlines, and other debris.
Distracted Driving During the Holidays
Another very common hazard during the holidays is an increase in distracted driving. According to the NHTSA, 3,142 people died due to distracted driving in 2020 alone. Distracted driving is a major road threat, and you can do your part by ensuring that you avoid distractions while you’re driving.
Seasonal Depression and an Increase in Accidents
One tragic side effect of the holidays is seasonal depression, which is an increase in the feelings of sadness and depression. Experts think this seasonal sadness can be triggered by a lack of sunlight, loneliness during the holidays, and even past traumas associated with winter. All these feelings can lead to an increase in drinking and driving. DUI rates in Newark and surrounding areas usually spike during both the days surrounding Christmas and the New Year’s weekend.
Holiday Delays
A final type of winter-specific travel danger is the increase in holiday delays. While traveling for the holidays, you need to expect to see more traffic than you would during other times of the year. Increased traffic could mean more delays, slower speeds, more traffic delays, and more accidents.
To avoid feeling stressed out about these situations, prepare for them in advance. Always add on an additional 30 minutes or hour to your travel time to account for potential delays and for the increase in traffic. If you start to do this, then you won’t be as thrown off if you do encounter delays on your trip.
How to Handle a Holiday Car Accident
Driving during the holiday season poses some unique risks. From increased traffic to winter weather hazards, you’ll have to do your best to remain vigilant at all times while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, sometimes your best due diligence still isn’t enough to prevent an accident, though, especially when the recklessness of someone else causes your crash.
If you do wind up in a holiday collision, then we advise you to reach out to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Let an experienced car accident attorney handle the aftermath so you can focus on healing and spending the holidays with those you love. Get started now by filling out our online form.