Safe Driving Tips on Fourth of July Weekend
The Fourth of July is weekend is wonderful time to get together, eat some good food, and watch a parade or take in a fireworks show. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we want all our neighbors to stay safe and happy as they celebrate our nation’s birthday with friends and family every year.
The National Safety Council (NSC) predicted 462 fatalities and 52,700 injuries due to automobile accidents this past Fourth of July weekend, and predicts similar numbers every year.These are tragic numbers, and we’d like you to know there are precautions you can take to help stay safe while driving during the holidays and all year long.
Staying Safe on the Road
A lot of people like to travel by car on holiday weekends, and this year’s Fourth of July weekend wasn’t any different. Because this Fourth fell on a Monday, the NSC calculated 3.25 weekend travel days, from 6pm that Friday until midnight on Monday.
Driving has the highest fatality rate of any major form of travel. In addition to all the people who hit the highways for trips over the holidays, there are also always a lot of people driving around locally, going to picnics, parties, and other events.
People who are in a festive mood aren’t always paying attention to the road. And when you add alcohol to the mix, things can get pretty dangerous out there for drivers. Whether you’re taking a long trip or just enjoying activities close to home, the following tips will help you and your loved ones stay safe:
- Seatbelts save lives. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), just wearing a seatbelt will reduce crash-related deaths and injuries by about 50 percent. Don’t worry about being a nag and always remind the people around you to buckle up for safety.
- Choose a designated driver. When people start drinking early in the day, it’s easy to lose track of how many you’ve had, so pick a designated driver BEFORE you start consuming alcohol.
- Keep an eye on your guests if you are having a party where liquor is being served, and make sure underage guests are not drinking. Don’t be afraid to take away a friend’s keys if they’ve had too many drinks
- Call an Uber or a taxi instead of driving home after you have been drinking.
- Drive defensively. Don’t assume that the other driver is going to stop at an intersection or signal before they make a lane change. Remain alert at all times and stay safe.
- Avoid distractions while driving. With a car full of boisterous passengers, it becomes more important than ever to stay focused on the road. You will also want to avoid distractions such as texting while driving, reaching for objects in your car, or checking your GPS.
- Call 911 if you notice someone driving erratically on the road. You could be saving someone’s life.
- Use a rest stop or allow someone else to drive if you are feeling drowsy during a long trip. Remember: fatigued driving is a major cause of highway accidents.
- Don’t speed. We have speed limits in Nebraska for a reason. Drivers who are going too fast have less time to react to road hazards or changes in the traffic flow. Speeding drivers are more likely to cause fatalities and catastrophic injuries.
Were You Harmed by an Unsafe Driver?
Even when you take precautions, you and your loved ones can still be harmed by a careless driver. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we’ll help you file a claim to get fair compensation to cover the true cost of your injuries. And we aren’t afraid to take on the big insurance companies.
Give us a call at (402) 505-8234 today. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., you don’t pay anything unless we win your case.
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