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Tips for Keeping Safe on Holiday Road Trips

With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away and the winter holidays following in rapid succession, we are approaching one of the biggest travel seasons of the year. Many families cherish this opportunity to spend time with friends and family that live further away. Whether you are driving to visit family in Marco Island or Massachusetts, staying safe while on the road is essential. 

Allow Plenty of Time to Reach Your Destination

Palm Beach County experiences a large influx of tourists this time of year, many of whom are not familiar with the area. This can lead to congested roadways and distracted drivers who are more focused on their GPS than the road. The highways throughout the country are also likely to be congested. Allowing extra time to reach your destination can help you stay calm and focused in this stressful situation.

Maintain a Safe Distance from Other Vehicles on the Highway

When the roads are congested, it can be tempting to minimize the space between you and the car in front of you to prevent another driver from cutting you off. However, if the car in front of you abruptly stops, you might cause an accident by rear-ending that car, creating a terrible start to your holiday road trip (and maybe even cancelling it entirely).

Minimize Contact with Aggressive Drivers

Heavy traffic can cause tempers to flare. If you notice someone weaving, excessively honking their horn, making obscene gestures, lane blocking, etc., drive defensively and keep your cool to avoid enflaming the situation.

Avoid Driver Fatigue

If you are driving a long distance, take a break every two hours. Get out of the car, stretch and have something to eat or drink to help you stay alert on the road. If you find that you are becoming sleepy, ask one of the passengers to take over driving or find a hotel and rest for the night. Fatigue can cause a delayed reaction time, leading to a car accident.

Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving has killed more than 3,000 people a year[1]. Texting while driving is illegal in Florida, so don’t do it! If it’s essential to send a text, ask a passenger to send it for you or pull over and park before sending it. Texting isn’t the only source of distraction though – changing the radio station, eating, applying makeup, or refereeing your children’s arguments can also cause distractions that lead to an accident.

ECanter Lawyers wish you safe travels this Thanksgiving and holiday season. We hope you don’t need our services, but we are here for you if you are injured in a car accident in Florida due to someone else’s negligence. Call us anytime, day or night, to schedule a free consultation.

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With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

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[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Distracted Driving Dangers and Statistics | NHTSA. Accessed October 5, 2023.