The winter holidays are a wonderful time to pack up the family and drive to the homes of relatives and loved ones to share traditions and make new memories. However, a fun holiday road trip can quickly turn into disaster if the driver becomes distracted after several long hours on the road.
Distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents in the United States per year, and there’s no sign of it stopping anytime soon. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), 10,166 collisions were the result of distracted driving in 2020, resulting in 1,476 injuries and 68 deaths. Perhaps an even worse statistic, despite these grim numbers, more than 90% of Colorado drivers self-report driving distracted. This year, as you head “over the river and through the woods” to Grandma’s house, follow these tips to avoid preventable accidents caused by distracted driving.
Don’t Text and Drive
Far too often, people think they can simply send off a couple of messages without getting distracted, but in actuality, texting while driving is the equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Simply put the phone away until you have reached your destination to avoid a texting-while-driving accident.
Put Down the Food
While most people think they’re saving time by eating on the road instead of stopping somewhere, they are actually setting themselves up for the very real possibility of an accident. While drive-thru restaurants offer a convenient and fun way to eat on a road trip, make it a practice to park somewhere for a “car picnic” rather than try to juggle your cheeseburger, fries and the steering wheel all at once!
Keep Kids and Pets Secure
From screaming about a sibling touching their favorite toy to the quintessential, “Are we there yet,” driving with kids can easily become a stressful experience. It can also be extremely distracting to have a dog or cat roaming freely throughout the car when you’re trying to keep your eyes on the road. Minimize potential distracted-driving hazards by keeping both your kids secured with seatbelts and your pets safely in crates or pet carseats in the backseat, and be sure to bring along plenty of quiet activities to keep the kids entertained.
Avoid “Drowsy Driving”
During a long drive, it can be easy to become sleepy and almost hypnotized by the road as one hour passes into the next. “Drowsy driving” is one of the biggest causes of distracted driving accidents, and could spell catastrophe for you and your passengers. Ensure you’re well-rested before getting behind the wheel, and if possible, take shifts with at least one other driver so you aren’t driving the entire way. If you begin to feel tired, pull over to a rest stop for a power nap or book a room for the night.
By taking proper precautions, you can reduce your chances of being involved in a distracted-driving accident that requires the help of a personal injury attorney/abogados accidente carro. Be safe and smart this holiday season!
