The winter holidays typically cause more people to travel more than an hour to reach their holiday destinations. Driving on Illinois roads can be hazardous when winter weather settles in and coats them in snow, slush, and ice.
If you are among the many people who drive to visit family, friends, and others during the winter holidays or at any other time of the year, the following tips could help you to do so safely and minimize the potential for being in an injury accident.
Plan Your Drive and Rest Before Leaving
Many people make the mistake of working a full day before heading to their holiday destinations. If you wait until the end of your workday, you likely will leave when the roads are their busiest and will drive without the benefit of sunlight.
Working a full day before heading out on the road increased the potential for driving while fatigued and becoming drowsy. It’s better to wait until you get a good night’s rest and plan your drive before you head out for a holiday celebration.
Keep Your Vehicle Well-Maintained
Before you head out for the holidays, you should make sure your vehicle is in its best possible condition. Bad brakes, worn tires, and defective lights all make it more likely for an accident to happen for which you would be liable. You should make sure the tires have good tread, the brakes are in good shape, and all the lights are working.
Something as simple as a taillight that has a burned-out bulb might cause another motorist to hit your vehicle in the rear while driving. A defective headlight likewise might impair your vision and lead to an accident for which you would need the help of experienced Plainfield auto accident lawyers.
Don’t Drive While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Most people already know not to do it, but people still drink alcohol or drive while under the influence of intoxicating drugs. Recreational marijuana is legal, and you might have prescription drugs that affect your ability to drive safely. Illinois driving fatalities recently rose by nearly 25 percent, and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a primary cause of many accidents that cause injuries and fatalities.
It is always best to have a sober designated driver or use a taxi or ride-hailing service instead of driving while drunk or impaired by alcohol or drugs during the holiday or any other time of the year.
Plan to Rest While Visiting Others
While the holiday celebrations are underway, it’s easy to get overly excited and not rest. When the holiday is over and you are driving home, a busy schedule that makes it nearly impossible to sleep well could cause you to become drowsy while driving. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as driving while under the influence, so you should do your best to avoid it.
Taking time out to rest during the holiday and getting a good night’s sleep before the return drive will help you stay alert. If you do feel drowsy, you should stop at a rest area or another safe location and take a cat nap before resuming your trip. A few basic precautions can help to keep your holiday travels safe and lessen the need for the services of Plainfield auto accidents lawyers.
