Put a Safety Plan in Place before Hitting the Road This Holiday Season
According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the day before the Thanksgiving is the most traveled day during the extended holiday weekend. An increased number of drivers on the road has the potential of more car accidents and fatalities. For Texans planning holiday travel for Thanksgiving, it is best to keep these safety tips in mind:
- plan your route carefully;
- prepare for your trip to anticipate any delays; and
- allow plenty of driving time to reach your destination.
Drivers can benefit from a website sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), DriveTexas.org, which serves as a valuable trip-planning resource. The website provides information including:
- lane closures;
- accident location alerts;
- road conditions;
- traffic flow/congestion; and
- rest stop locations.
In previous years, AAA predicted three million drivers expected to be on the road for the Thanksgiving holiday. With the increased number of motorists, extra precaution should be exercised and safety tips followed. Keep in mind that weather conditions can also affect travel and traffic and should be planned for accordingly.
Highway safety guidelines all drivers should follow are:
- be well rested and alert;
- do not text (or use your mobile device) and drive;
- make frequent stops during long trips to avoid fatigue;
- designate a driver if you plan on drinking;
- carry a disaster supplies kit in the trunk; and
- do not allow the gas tank to get too low.
These safety reminders may seem like common sense, but are often overlooked when on the road. TxDOT reported over 65,000 serious injury crashes across the state last year with one reportable crash occurring every 71 seconds.
Car accidents occur unexpectedly even when practicing traffic safety. It is better to err on the side of caution in order to celebrate a safe holiday weekend. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision in Texas, contact a New Braunfels auto accident attorney today.
