The holiday season is filled with joy, but the roads often spin a different story. In the coming weeks, millions of Americans will hit the highways to attend celebrations, visit family and deliver packages — creating the perfect storm for car accidents. 

As car wreck lawyers, we believe safety starts with understanding the causes of car accidents and how you can avoid them. Buckle up: Roman & Boock’s holiday travel safety tips start below. 

1. Substance Use

Cups are filled with more than cheer at this time of year. Holiday festivities in the U.S. are often accompanied by beer, wine and festive cocktails — leading 55% of Americans to drink more alcohol than usual.

Many fail to realize how impaired they are before driving, putting others at serious risk. For the sake of holiday driving safety, we recommend reasonable precautions, such as:

• Pacing yourself. Aim for no more than one standard alcoholic drink per hour. Slow alcohol absorption by drinking water and eating food between drinks. 
• Being aware of medications. Medications may interact negatively with alcohol, creating dangerous side effects. To be safe, avoid alcohol consumption while on any medication.
• Making transportation plans. If you plan to drink, make travel arrangements beforehand. Designate a sober driver, call a ride or explore public transportation options in your area. 
• Spending the night. Generally, your body metabolizes a shot of liquor in 1 hour, a pint of beer in 2 hours and a glass of wine in 3 hours. If you have been drinking heavily, you may need a full night of sleep before you can drive safely.

2. Fatigue

Long trips and late-night gatherings can only mean one thing: a lack of sleep. Whether long-haul truckers, delivery drivers or visiting family members, motorists during the holidays are often drowsy. 

Fatigue impairs both judgment and coordination. In severe instances, it may lead to a “micro-sleep” behind the wheel. To avoid drowsy driving, we recommend the following holiday travel safety tips: 

• Get plenty of sleep. Before a road trip, aim for quality, uninterrupted sleep. The CDC recommends that teens get 8-10 hours of sleep and adults get at least 7. 
• Avoid heavy meals. Heavy or greasy foods trigger the hormones that cause sleepiness. Eat small, balanced meals throughout your trip to stay alert.
• Take breaks. For longer trips, a short break every 2 hours or 100 miles helps prevent fatigue. Take 15-20 minutes to stretch, walk and reset your brain. 
• Take a power nap. If you’re feeling tired, you must pull over immediately. Find a safe place to park and sleep for 10-20 minutes to restore your mental clarity.

3. Distractions 

With ringing phones and restless passengers, it’s easy to take your attention from the road. But when traveling at a high speed, every second matters. At 55 mph, 5 seconds is all it takes to travel the length of a football field. 

To avoid deadly distractions, our car wreck lawyers recommend the following holiday travel safety tips: 

• Plan ahead. Before you start your engine, turn on all features you may need, such as music or navigation apps.
• Stow your phone. Place your phone in a designated spot out of reach, such as your glove box, bag or side pocket. 
• Silence notifications. Activate your phone’s built-in “Do Not Disturb” feature to silence notifications until you reach your destination.
• Secure children and pets. Children and pets may move around the car, taking your attention away from the road. To avoid this, secure all passengers before driving. 
• Avoid meals on the road. Though eating gives you energy, it also requires your full attention. For the sake of holiday driving safety, wait until you are parked to have a meal or snack. 

4. Road Rage

Everyone hates traffic — but some motorists take their feelings out on the road. Our car wreck lawyers have seen frustration build up into risky behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating or sudden lane changes. 

If you know you’re prone to road rage or impulsivity, we recommend the following holiday travel safety tips: 

• Give yourself time. Feeling “late” may make you want to speed. To avoid this, try to leave for your destination earlier than necessary.
• Listen to calming music. Soothing music can lower your heart rate and improve your mood while driving. 
• Take breaks. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, pull over and take a short break. Walking or stretching may help regulate your emotions. 
• Be mindful. Practice defensive driving. Pay attention to traffic laws, scan your surroundings and signal your intentions to other drivers. 
• Stay calm. Remember: you can only control your own driving. Take a deep breath and focus on the road ahead, not the frustration around you. 

5. Inclement Weather 

Dean Martin said it best: The weather outside is frightful. Winter brings snow, ice and other hazardous road conditions. Motorists stuck in storms may experience reduced visibility, low traction and a higher risk of accidents. 

Reports show that 15% of car accidents in Missocuri occur during inclement weather such as rain, snow, sleet, hail and fog. To avoid experiencing this, we recommend the following holiday travel safety tips:

• Check the forecast. Check the forecast when making travel plans — try to avoid days with storms if at all possible.
• Inspect your car. Before you hit the road, be sure that you have good tread on your tires, functional windshield wipers and a charged battery. 
• Slow down. When in doubt, slow down. Drive at a slower speed to give yourself more time to react to hazards and regain control of your vehicle. 
• Increase distance. Winter weather may mean sudden stops. Adding space between cars gives you time to slow down safely. 
• Steer into the skid. If your car begins hydroplaning, lay off the accelerator and do not slam your brakes. Let your car slow down naturally and steer into the skid to avoid a spinout. 

Call Our Car Wreck Lawyers

Holiday driving safety is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your loved ones this season. While taking every precaution on the road is essential, accidents caused by another driver’s negligence can still happen. If they do, remember: help is available. 

With more than 50 years of experience, the car wreck lawyers at Roman & Boock are prepared to advocate for you after a traumatic crash. To pursue a car accident claim, contact our team online or over the phone at 314.754.1500.