This year, the Fourth of July falls on a Monday. Between Friday afternoon and midnight on Monday, millions of Americans will be hitting the highways to visit friends and relatives or see new places.
Though it’s a great way to get around, traveling by automobile has the highest fatality rate per mile of any major form of transportation.
People are really excited to be getting back to normal for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations. But with more traffic comes more accidents. In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) predicts it will be the most dangerous Fourth of July weekend in 16 years for motorists.
At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we want all our friends and neighbors to have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend. That’s why we’ve come up with some safety tips to help make sure you and your loved ones make it home unharmed.
Tips for a Safe and Happy Holiday
Whether you head out on the open road for a long trip this weekend, or if you’re just enjoying some local events, you’ll want to be extra cautious. This includes pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders.
The NSC predicts motorists will suffer 462 fatalities and 52,700 injuries this Fourth of July weekend. Follow these tips to avoid becoming a statistic.
- Buckle up. It only takes a second, but fastening your seatbelt can reduce your chances of suffering an injury or a fatality by up to 50 percent.
- Choose a designated driver before you head out for your holiday activities. When people start drinking in the daytime, they don’t always realize how many they’ve had. So be smart and plan ahead.
- Don’t speed. The speed limits in Massachusetts are designed to keep you safe. When drivers go too fast, it takes longer to react to a hazardous situation and the damage caused by a crash increases dramatically.
- Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is a growing concern in this country due to the increase of texting while driving. Any activity that takes your attention away from the road for a moment such as talking, eating, checking your GPS, or changing the radio can have deadly consequences.
- Get your car serviced. Make sure your brakes, tires, and engine are in good working order to prevent unexpected malfunctions on the road. It’s also important to have your mechanic check your headlights, taillights, and brake lights.
- Plan your route in advance. It’s a good idea to know where you’re going and how far you are going to be traveling on each leg of your journey.
- Take breaks. Fatigued driving is a major cause of collisions. Don’t hesitate to use rest stops or switch drivers.
- Come home early. The longer you stay out, the more fatigued and intoxicated drivers you are likely to encounter on the road.
- Call a taxi or an Uber if you’ve been drinking.
- Monitor your guests if you are entertaining, and don’t be afraid to take away someone’s keys if they’ve had too much to drink. And never allow underage guests to be served at your home.
- Drive defensively. Don’t tailgate. Follow other drivers at a safe distance and be ready for drivers who make unsafe maneuvers or change lanes without signaling first.
- Be extra alert at intersections. This is one of the most dangerous sections of the road. Approach intersections with caution, and be on the lookout for other motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycle riders when you are making a turn.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
Were You Harmed by a Careless Driver?
Even when you’re taking precautions, you can still be harmed by a dangerous driver. At DiBella Law Offices, P.C, we’ll help you file a claim that covers the true cost of your injuries. And we aren’t afraid to take on the big insurance companies.
Give us a call at (978) 327-5140 to learn more today.
We are committed to providing valuable information and resources to assist you.
