With the holiday season now underway, many people are busy traveling to spend their time with family and friends. Unfortunately, travel during the holidays is unusually perilous, with rates of auto accidents tending to go up significantly around this time of the year. Here are five holiday dangers you should be careful about, which can lead to auto accidents:


  • Driving at night
      • The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, which naturally means more people are driving when it is dark outside. This is risky under normal conditions, but it can be especially dangerous when combined with other factors that make holiday traffic more difficult to navigate. As a general rule, it is best to take it slow, and pay special attention to avoid pedestrians and bicyclists, who can be difficult to see in the dark.
  • Inclement weather
      • Snow, sleet, and fog can all be problematic for drivers, making the roads more dangerous and potentially obscuring vision. Unfortunately, many drivers do not adjust their habits to compensate for the problems caused by bad holiday weather. This can cause them to more easily lose control of their vehicle during snowstorms and other similar weather events, leading to auto accidents.
  • Bad road conditions
      • In addition to the dangers caused by snow and sleet, other issues can also make road conditions more dangerous during the holidays. For example, changes in temperature can make it more likely for potholes to form, which can damage your vehicle or cause you to briefly lose control of your vehicle. In addition, loose gravel and debris from road construction can also create hazards that make it more dangerous for you to drive.
  • Distracted driving
      • It is unsurprising that people are distracted during the holiday season, but that does not make distracted driving any less dangerous. Eating, drinking, checking social media, or even just turning around to deal with children in the back seat can also become potentially dangerous distractions. If you want to avoid auto accidents during the holidays, try to keep yourself free of as many distractions as possible while behind the wheel.
  • Drunk driving
    • People love to celebrate the holidays by drinking, and most have the understanding that if they engage in those celebrations, they should make sure to have a ride home. Unfortunately, a disturbing number of drunk people get behind the wheel anyway, placing themselves and others in danger. That is why you should make sure not to drink and drive, and stop anyone who seems intoxicated from getting behind the wheel.

 

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.