Holiday Travel Safety Tips

While the holidays are a joyous time for families from across the country to reunite, they can also be dangerous. Holiday travel comes with various hazards, so if you’re going out of town to celebrate, it’s important to know what to look out for to keep yourself and the rest of your family safe.

At Oldham & Smith, we represent various types of personal injury cases. Our Lake County, FL accident attorneys have seen it all, from car accidents, to truck accidents, to motorcycle and bike accidents; we even represent clients injured in boating and aviation incidents. And if advocating for all these accident victims has taught us one thing, it’s that you must be cautious when you travel.

Keep reading to learn the safety tips every traveler should know this holiday season, and contact Oldham & Smith if you were recently injured in an accident.

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Tip Number 1: Stay Off the Roads Whenever Possible

According to AAA, more Americans traveled last year for the holidays than ever before. Approximately 107.3 million people in the U.S. took a trip between December 23rd and January 1st, up 3% from the year before, and the sixth year in a row the total number of holiday travelers has risen.

Unfortunately, all of this travel can come with a price. 90.7% of these trips are made in motor vehicles, with 97.3 million Americans driving somewhere last holiday season alone. This makes the holidays a particularly dangerous time to get in the car, as congested roads make conditions less safe. The amount of accident-related fatalities reported every year around this time in in the hundreds, with New Year’s and Christmas Day both ranking among the most dangerous holidays to drive.

Whenever possible, stay off the roads this holiday season, and travel by plane if it’s an option.

Tip Number 2: Pick a Designated Driver

Alcohol is often unavoidable around the holidays, with spirits being served at work events, family parties, and social functions alike. One thing you can always avoid, however, is getting behind the wheel if you are intoxicated.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 46% of traffic fatalities on New Year’s Day are a direct result of DUI.  Out of the traffic fatalities on Christmas Day, about 42% are related to DUIs. Further back, the average for Thanksgiving is slightly lower, with the amount of alcohol-related fatalities stemming from traffic collisions coming in around 41%.

The data is impossible to argue with. If you have to travel in a car this holiday season, watch out for drunk drivers, and never, ever get behind the wheel if you are under the influence.

Tip Number 3: Keep an Eye on Weather Conditions

Depending on where you live, you’re probably used to the holiday season bringing colder weather with it. Yet, even if you you enjoy living in a winter wonderland, monitoring weather conditions is essential for holiday-trip safety.

Every year, dangerous winter storms impede travel across the U.S. Heavy snow not only makes roads treacherous, but can also affect flights. With poor visibility, cold temperatures, and unreliable conditions, any kind of trip can be a risk in the winter, no matter what mode of transportation you take.

Travel is unavoidable for some and navigating a bit of bad weather may be expected. That said, if it’s between seeing your family and risking your life to get there, just stay home. Trust us, everyone will understand.

Contact Oldham & Smith for Experienced Accident Representation

Follow the above travel tips to stay safe this holiday season, and remember, if you have been injured in an accident or collision, call Oldham & Smith for experienced and skilled representation. Since 1989, we have been committed to helping the people of Florida receive the compensation they deserve following severe injuries. With tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients and free consultations offered for all your legal needs, you can trust Oldham & Smith to fight for you all year round.

You can reach our office by phone, or click here to schedule a consultation online.