Thanksgiving is almost upon us and that means one of the busiest travel weeks of the year is here. The increase in travel also tends to lead to an increase in car accidents.Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. Unfortunately, the holiday season sees more serious and fatal car accidents. Some accidents are caused by unsafe road conditions due to the weather while others are caused by drunk driving and distracted driving. The Department of Transportation is working to address these problems during the holiday season.The DOT has issued a few safety reminders and guidelines for all those travelling on U.S. roads. Below are the safety tips recommended by the DOT and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
Remember to buckle up: seat belts save lives and every state has laws for seat belt use.
Use child safety seats properly: make sure the safety seat is installed correctly and is sized to fit your child.
Don’t drink in drive: drunk driving accidents are very common during this holiday season so it is important to remind others not to drink and drive and take safety precautions such as a designated driver.
Pay attention: distracted driving poses risks to everyone on the road. Keep your eyes on the road, don’t use electronic devices while driving and practice safe driving behaviors.
It is important for everyone to safe on the road during the holidays. Following these simple steps will increase the safety for everyone travelling and keep the holidays happy and merry for all.
Source: United States Department of Transportation, “Safe holiday travel is no accident,” Nov. 19, 2012