The holidays are supposed to be a time of good cheer for all, but they are also a time of more car accidents.
It’s the season of shopping and that means more cars driving around. With more vehicular traffic in the month of December, the law of averages would suggest that more cars are going to run into one another.
Drivers are cautioned to be extra careful during these times of greater traffic. Parking lots are a place to be extra careful, more than 60,000 people are injured each year in parking lot accidents, and distractions are a major factor. For this reason, it’s important to pay close attention to your surroundings and use extra caution while driving or walking in parking lots.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, collision claims jump 20% in the month of December. But there is only so much a driver can do to avoid the hazards of driving during the holidays. They can leave their car in the garage and use services like Uber to get around but that only remains practical some of the time. A better way to avoid holiday accidents is to just be more attentive and aware of the situation.
To reduce your risk of being in a holiday season smash-up, slow down and take your time. Don’t give into the pressures and stress of the season, especially when you’re driving. Stay alert, assume everyone else is distracted and not paying attention. Also keep a watchful eye out for distracted pedestrians.
Distracted drivers are a growing problem at all times of the year and this problem is magnified during the holidays. Ignore your cell phone while you’re driving. Let calls go to voicemail and texts go unread until you can safely pull over to see what you missed.
This holiday season be extra careful when driving.
