From traveling to decorating to celebrating with loved ones, the holiday season is a bright and bustling time of year for many. Though it often brings with it lots of joy and happy memories, this season can also come with many personal injury risks and unique seasonal hazards. To help prepare for the “most hazardous time of the year,” let’s review some tried-and-true travel safety tips from Attorney Eric Bartlett (@KCLawGuy) and the National Safety Council (NSC).
Attorney Eric’s Vehicle Safety Checklist
Seasonal traffic, wintery weather, and emergency situations can make traveling during the holidays extra perilous. This is especially true when traveling by car, which “has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile” (Source). To prepare your car or truck for safe holiday travel, watch Attorney Eric’s vehicle safety video:
NSC’s Holiday Travel Safety Tips
According to Injury Facts, “[h]undreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day” (Source).
To help prevent and prepare for dangerous scenarios on the road, the NSC implores drivers to follow these critical safety guidelines:
- Ensure their vehicle is in good running condition and prepared for wintery conditions.
- Get plenty of rest before departing to avoid drowsy driving.
- Be prepared for any emergency with an emergency car kit.
- Leave early and plan ahead in case of heavy holiday traffic.
- Ensure every passenger is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled.
- Put their cell phones away to prevent dangerous distractions while driving.
- Practice defensive driving.
- Never drive while intoxicated, impaired, or drowsy.
- Always designate a sober driver before attending a holiday party.
View more holiday safety tips on the NSC website.
