Christmas and Hanukkah are nearly here, and people all over Illinois are getting ready to hit the road to spend time with friends and family. As it does every year, this will cause significant traffic on roads and highways, and with an increase in traffic comes a proportional increase in the number of accidents will occur. At McNabola & Associates, LLC, we care about your safety and don’t want your holiday to be ruined by a preventable accident. Before you embark on your holiday road trip, take some time to review this list of safe driving reminders.
Here’s what you can do to reduce your chance of a holiday car accident:
- Check your vehicle. Many accidents result from preventable maintenance failures. Perform a check of your vehicle’s tires, brakes, headlights, taillights, windshield wipers and fluid, antifreeze, and engine to ensure that they are in good working order before you hit the road.
- Be patient. Even the most patient driver can become frustrated after hours of battling traffic, but don’t let this affect your driving. Avoid the temptation to engage in aggressive driving behaviors like speeding, unsafe lane changes, or tailgating. It won’t save you any time on your trip and will only end up putting your safety and the safety of others at risk.
- Put away distractions. Avoid anything that could distract you from the primary task of driving. Texting, looking at GPS devices, eating, using car infotainment systems, and listening to overly loud music are some common examples of distractions that can cause accidents.
- Avoid drowsy driving. The holidays can be hectic, and it’s no surprise that people often miss sleep between all of the planning, shopping, and traveling. But before you leave on a road trip, make sure that you get a full night’s sleep in order to cut your risk of getting into an accident in half.
By following these tips and being a proactive and defensive driver, you can greatly reduce your chance of being involved in an accident. We wish you and your family safe travels and a very happy holiday season!
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we’re here to help. To speak with a Chicago car accident lawyer at McNabola & Associates, LLC, please call (312) 888-8700 or fill out an online contact form.