If you’re planning to hit the road this holiday season, be prepared for plenty of traffic, bad drivers, and wintertime hazards. Many Americans travel this time of year to celebrate with loved ones. Unfortunately, more drivers on the roads can lead to an uptick in car accidents – especially when the weather gets nasty.
Holiday traffic accidents are all too common nationwide and in the state of Georgia. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we want all Georgia motorists to stay safe this holiday season. That’s why we’re here to provide information about the prevalence of holiday accidents statewide and what you can do to keep yourself and other road users safe this year.
Georgia Ranked as the 11th Deadliest State for Drivers During the Holidays
Traffic accidents are more common around the holidays as millions of Americans take trips across the country to visit friends and family for seasonal festivities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that crash fatality rates increase by an average of 17 additional fatalities per day during major holiday periods in the United States.
Unfortunately, Georgia also sees an uptick in car accidents on holidays. A recent analysis of holiday driving statistics ranked Georgia the 11th worst state in the nation for dangerous holiday traffic. The state has an average of 1.7 holiday traffic crash fatalities per 100,000 Georgia residents.
Which Factors Contribute to the Increase in Car Crashes During the Holidays?
Multiple factors can lead to these alarming holiday accident stats, including the following:
- Longer travel times due to more people traveling long distances to visit family and friends
- Drivers traveling through unfamiliar areas where they don’t know the speed limits, street layouts, or traffic patterns
- An increase in speeding due to impatient drivers hoping to reach their destinations a few seconds earlier
- An increase in drunk driving due to boozy holiday celebrations
Safety Tips All Drivers Should Practice During the Holiday Season
Georgia drivers can keep themselves and other road users safe during this year’s holiday season by keeping in mind the following tips:
- Inspect vehicles before hitting the road to ensure they are in proper working order
- Review travel routes in advance to check traffic and weather conditions
- Take frequent breaks during road trips and rest well the night before long trips
- Obey all speed limits and traffic signs and travel slowly in unfamiliar areas
- Anticipate aggressive, impatient behaviors from other road users and act accordingly
- Look out for other road users and yield the right-of-way when necessary
- Put cell phones and other distractions away while driving and program GPS devices ahead of time
- Never get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking or using drugs
Contact Our Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers If You Were Injured in a Holiday Accident
If you get hurt in a car accident in Georgia, the team at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation about your legal options.
