Planning Your Holiday Road Travel
The holiday season is the perfect time for friends and family to create unforgettable memories and experiences together. But during the holidays, Florida’s roadways can be among the busiest and most dangerous in the country. From November to December 2020, 1,052 motor vehicle accidents involving drunk and/or drugged driving occurred in Florida. Law enforcement officials also issued 5,442 tickets for DUI around that time.
Floridians and visitors must remain vigilant while driving around the state, which is significantly busier than ever during the holidays. Enjoy the holiday, but remember that safety is your number one priority.
Top Tips for Planning Your Holiday Road Travel
- Never drive while you are distracted. Always keep your attention on the road and what’s happening around your vehicle. Texting is the most common and dangerous driver distraction because it takes your eyes off the road for as much as five seconds. This is similar to driving the entire length of a football field while your eyes are shut.
- Never drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Celebrate all you want but do it responsibly and never drive if you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Always have a plan to get home safely. Consider using a rideshare service or having a designated sober driver.
- Make sure that your tires are roadworthy. This is particularly crucial before a long trip. Inspect the tread depth, tire pressure, and spare tire before leaving. You must also avoid overloading your car as this can cause tire blowouts and premature wear. In 2020, 3,069 crashes related to tire issues occurred in Florida. These crashes caused 61 deaths and 184 serious injuries.
- Always follow the speed limits. According to the NHTSA, speeding is a top cause of about one-third of all deaths from motor vehicle crashes. Speed impacts your safety even when you’re traveling at a safe speed but too fast for the road conditions, like an inadequately lit area at night, a street that’s under repair, or during harsh weather. It’s also vital to keep in mind that speed limits change as you travel through different kinds of roads in Florida, so you must be ready to adjust your speed as needed. In the state, the speed limit will never go over 70mph.
- Always wear your seat belt. Buckling up saves lives. In Florida, all drivers, front-seat passengers, and passengers younger than 18 years old must buckle up or wear appropriate child restraint systems.
- Update or register your Emergency Contact Information. This secure system enables law enforcement officers in Florida to call designated family members or friends during an emergency.
Contact Our Skilled Tampa Auto Accident Attorneys Today
It is extremely unfortunate that motor vehicle accidents tend to dramatically increase during the holiday season. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, the Tampa auto accident attorneys of Matthews Injury Law will work hard to ensure that the negligent driver will be held liable for your damages and losses.
Call us at 813-530-1000 reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation with our Tampa auto accident attorney.