The holidays are a special time for connecting with loved ones. Every year, millions of Americans travel great distances in order to gather with family and friends. Last year, it was predicted that over 85 million people traveled for the holiday season. But unfortunately, with roadway travel comes roadway risk.
It’s not merry to consider, but accidents tend to pile up around the holiday seasons. Roughly 340 accidents occur around the holidays every year. What’s more…the leading cause may surprise you. The leading factor in these accidents is not snow or hazardous weather conditions.
Most accidents during the holiday season happen due to impairment. Now… “impairment” can mean a lot of things. Driving under the influence. Distracted driving. Or even, driver fatigue.
For those driving over long distances, it can be appealing to spend numerous hours on the road with minimal stops for breaks and rest. It’s natural to want to arrive at your destination as soon as possible and see the people that you care about. However, forcing yourself to drive without sufficient rest can have serious consequences.
It may seem simple, but it could be that your smartest investment in the safety of your family is to get a good night’s sleep before hitting the road. There are additional measures you can take as well. Warm yourself with a constant supply of caffeine. Switch places with a passenger who can drive while you rest. Find rest areas to stop and sleep for a couple of hours.
The few hours you may save on the trip are not worth the lives that could be risked by drowsy driving. The holiday season is an incredible time to reconnect with those you have not seen in a long time. It’s a wonderful time to rest and make memories with others. Let’s all do what we can to ensure our travel to and from those moments is both safe and alert.
Sources
https://texasjustice.com/blog/why-car-accidents-increase-during-holidays/
https://www.valuepenguin.com/most-dangerous-holidays-drive
https://scaffidilaw.com/common-causes-of-car-accidents-during-the-holidays/