A Few Simple Measures to Ensure that Your New Year’s Eve Is Safe
The year-end holidays bring a time of joy and togetherness, but they can also put Americans nationwide at risk. Studies show that New Year’s Eve is consistently one of the deadliest holidays of the year to drive.
Researchers suggest many reasons. New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time of gathering, often with alcohol being served, so drivers may be more inclined to operate a motor vehicle while impaired. But let’s face it…it’s just a busy time of the year, with everyone out visiting friends and family, and attending special events. It’s pretty easy to get distracted while you’re behind the wheel.
Strategies for Avoiding New Year’s Motor Vehicle Wrecks
There are ways that you can still fully bring in the new year without putting yourself at unnecessary risk of injury in a car crash:
- Acknowledge that you may become tired or unfocused – When you’re burning it at both ends, often running on adrenaline, it can seem like you’ll be able to go on forever. Then you hit a wall. The important thing—you want to stay off the road when you do. Resist the urge to push through to get home in time for a special family gathering or to get to another party. The people you’ll spend that time with would much rather have you arrive safe and sound…and a little late. Be willing to take a nap before you leave for home, or pull over to the side of the road, if necessary. Allow yourself a 10-20 minute power nap and you’ll be much more alert.
- Make it an alcohol-free holiday – Most of us enjoy a little holiday cheer, but the consumption of alcohol dramatically increases your risk of getting in a traffic accident. Statistics indicate that when your blood alcohol content goes above the legal limit, your risk of being in an accident triples.
- Give yourself extra time to get everywhere – One of the most common causes of accidents is people trying to do too much in too little time. That leads to excessive rates of speed on the roads, as well as far less attention to your surroundings. Wherever you’re going, add a little time to your travel, so that you can stop and get refreshed, if necessary, or you can keep your speed at or below the legal limit.
- Prepare for contingencies – With everything that’s happening this time of year…weather, heavy traffic on the roads, endless events to attend…the likelihood of some type of emergency goes up significantly. Be prepared for those circumstances. Make certain your vehicle maintenance is up-to-date, be sure you have flares and other safety equipment with you, and have a plan to deal with the unexpected.
Contact the Effective Car Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we know the ways that a motor vehicle accident can change your life. We’ll aggressively fight to get you full and fair compensation for any injury or loss suffered in a car wreck. We’ll also be your liaison with your insurer, helping you get all the benefits to which you are entitled under the terms of your policy. Contact us by email or call our offices at 844-402-2992. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
