Thanksgiving in 2020 is going to look different than it has in any other year. In most years, it is one of the busiest travel days of the year – and one in which more people drive after having been drinking. There might be fewer people on the road this year, but that does not mean that you can let your guard down. According to the National Safety Council, it is likely that 400+ people will die in car accidents between Wednesday and Sunday of the Thanksgiving holiday.
This is why it is so important to make sure that you are driving as safely as possible. Follow these essential rules to be as safe as you can, but if you are involved in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation.
Never Drink and Drive
Even if you think you are fine to drive, even if you are “just buzzed,” it is not worth driving if you have been drinking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) says that alcohol is involved in one in three of all fatal car accidents over the holiday. Either pick a sober driver, take a rideshare, or plan to stay where you are drinking. If this is not enough to persuade you, consider that the police are going to be setting up numerous DUI checks. Is it worth losing your license?
Never Text and Drive
It might seem that this advice is getting old, but unfortunately, people continue to text while driving. Studies show that people think it is unsafe for others to do it, but for some reason, they think that they are capable of safely texting and driving. This is false. Of the 3,000 killed in car accidents in 2017, the NSC believes that about 27% of them involved cellphones.
Wear Your Seatbelt
This is another tip that some people feel is obvious. While the vast majority of people do wear their seat belts, unfortunately, compliance is still far from universal. This is a huge issue because, according to the NHTSA, about half of all passengers killed in car accidents are not wearing their seat belt. They really do save lives so buckle up every single time you get in a vehicle.
Watch Your Speed
Speeding might seem harmless and minor, but about one in three fatal motor vehicle accidents involved one or more drivers speeding. This is for two reasons. First, speeding makes it harder to stop in time to avoid a crash. Second, the faster you are going, the more serious injuries are likely to be.
If you are injured in a car accident this Thanksgiving, or any other day, you might have a legal claim to compensation for your damages. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now to request a free legal consultation.
