The holiday season is coming up and for many Florida residents that means stress. Although the holidays are often filled with enjoyable time with friends and family, time off work and social gatherings, the change in routine and extra activities often make us stressed and tired.
This is sometimes reflected in our driving habits. If you are wondering if people drive worse over the holidays, they do. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there are generally more fatal car accidents during holiday periods than there are during non-holiday periods.
Driving while stressed can be as dangerous as other risky driving behaviors, such as texting while driving, aggressive driving or road rage.
Additionally, there are generally more drivers on the roads over the holidays as people travel to visit family and friends. The combination of more traffic and more stressed or tired drivers could spell disaster.
How to stay safe during the holidays
Here are some tips you can use to stay safe while driving this holiday season and maximize the safety of you and other drivers on the roads.
Keep to your normal sleep schedule as much as you can. This may be challenging as you juggle different holiday events and gatherings but try to avoid getting behind the wheel when you are fatigued. If you get tired while driving, pull over to a rest area and take a short nap.
Never drink and drive. Use a rideshare service or designated driver if you attend a social event and plan to drink alcohol.
Know where you are going. Plan your route ahead of time if you are going somewhere unfamiliar. Keep an eye on weather conditions and consider canceling your plans or changing your route to avoid bad weather.
Be ready for an emergency. Keep your phone charged and a charger with you when driving. Have contact information for emergency roadside assistance.
Avoid the temptation to text and drive. This might be more difficult over the holidays when schedules are usually busier. Practice safe driving habits, such as wearing your seatbelt and not speeding.
What to do if you are involved in a holiday car accident
You can drive as safely as possible but still find yourself the victim of a car accident due to another stressed, reckless driver. If you are in this situation, obtain medical treatment and get thoroughly checked out by a doctor even if you do not believe you are injured.
Call the police and make a report. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
Consider pursuing compensation for your losses through a personal injury action. While you may not be ready to think about this during the hectic holiday season, it is important to file a claim soon after an accident.
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Florida is two years from the date of the accident. Proving the other driver was negligent could mean holding them liable for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering and other losses you experience as a result of the accident.