Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial start of summer and with it, comes masses of holiday travelers coming from various directions. With more people on the road, accidents are practically inevitable. Drivers are four times more likely to experience a fatal car accident during Memorial Day weekend than any other holiday weekend. At Eaton and Torrenzano, we want everyone to be as safe as possible on the roads always, but especially during the upcoming holiday weekend.
How can I Reduce My Risk for a Car Accident?
- Prepare for the trip
Before this holiday weekend starts, it is important to be prepared for any scenario. Figure out how long the trip is and what the weather conditions are while traveling to the destination. If possible, become familiar with the route to anticipate traffic jams or road construction that may get in the way.
Be proactive about the maintenance of one’s vehicle. Prior to any road trip, check fluids, tire pressure and tread, and ensure the gas tank is full.
- Do not drive distracted
Distracted driving includes but is not limited to texting, eating, drinking, phone calls, grooming, reaching towards the backseat, changing the radio station, looking at the center display screen for too long, turning to look or talk to passengers – anything that takes a driver’s eyes or one hundred percent focus off the road. Distracted drivers put themselves and others at risk for preventable accidents every time they indulge in any of these bad habits.
- Avoid drunk driving
Memorial Day celebrations often include alcohol, and drunk driving car accidents tend to spike during the holidays. Despite the fact that drunk driving is illegal, some people may drive buzzed, but no level of impairment is safe behind the wheel. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can slow down reaction time, coordination, and judgment which is putting others on the road at risk. Call a taxi or ridesharing service, or assign a designated driver.
- Avoid drowsy driving
Drowsy driving causes reduced alertness and slows reaction times, and manifests as similar to driving drunk. To avoid this, aim for eight hours of sleep per night.. Signs of driver fatigue include frequent yawning, daydreaming, drifting out of the lane, struggling to open eyes and being forgetful. When someone zones out for even a second while driving, the results can be disastrous.
- Do not drive aggressively
Nearly 80 percent of drivers admit to driving aggressively each month, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety. Aggressive driving increases the chance of a serious traffic accident or road rage altercation. Common examples of aggressive driving include tailgating, speeding, riding the brakes, weaving in and out of lanes, running red lights and stop signs, changing lanes and turning without signaling, and/or blocking or preventing other vehicles from merging or passing. When dealing with an aggressive driver, do not engage with them. Just move to the side or another lane if possible so that they can pass the vehicle.
- Wear a seatbelt correctly and use proper child safety seats
Seatbelts save lives. In a forceful collision of any kind, those who are not restrained by a seatbelt can be seriously, or even fatally, injured. Ensure that children are restrained in child safety seats that are appropriate for their height, age, weight. Wearing a seatbelt, and insisting that your passengers wear theirs, is the best protection against injury or death in the event of a car accident.
Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano if Injured in a Car Accident
Memorial Day weekend can be one of the most dangerous times of the year on the road, especially for city drivers. The Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano seek justice for clients throughout Brooklyn and Staten Island. For a free consultation regarding your car accident claim, call us at 718-332-7766 or contact us online. We serve clients in Kings County, Richmond County, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, Manhattan, and New Jersey.