Traveling During The Holidays? How to Ensure an Accident Doesn’t Ruin Your Plans

Check Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Before Takeoff

We can not stress enough the importance of making sure that all aspects of your vehicle are properly working before taking off on your travels. This step is often avoided due to the overall hassle and expense of vehicle maintenance, but trust us when we say that it is well worth the cost to keep your family safe while on the road. 

The holiday season brings with it colder temperatures which can affect the performance of your vehicle. Make sure that your engine is running efficiently and that all required oil has been recently changed so that it lasts you the entire trip. It is also very critical that you check the conditions of your tires, as worn-out tires are extremely dangerous especially when traveling long distances. Furthermore, you may want to make sure that your windshield wipers are working well, especially if the weather is showing potential for harsh conditions such as rain and snow. Lastly, you will want to be sure that your headlights are fully operational, in regards to your regular lights and the high beams!

Stay Alert At All Times

It can be easy to become unalert while driving long distances, especially if the road you travel is simply straight ahead. The key to safety while on the road is to stay focused and alert the entire time, so it is best to detract your mind from wandering due to certain factors, including:

• Distractions — There are many distractions while driving. These distractions can include your cell phone, GPS, passengers, and anything else that takes your attention away from the road. To avoid these distractions, ensure that you have set up everything you need before taking off as this will help maintain your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road! 
• Drowsiness — It can be easy to become drowsy while driving long distances. Make sure that you get the proper hours of sleep you need to stay awake throughout the duration of your travel. In addition, you can plan frequent stops to take a break or even rotate passengers. 
• Intoxication — While this tip may be obvious, it is still vital to share the importance of staying completely sober while traveling. Not only is using drugs or alcohol while driving illegal, but extremely dangerous as well! 

Be Extra Careful During the Night

With winter comes along a time change that results in shorter days and longer nights. If you happen to still be traveling once nightfall hits, it is important to stay alert and do your best to see the road ahead. This also ties in with our maintenance tip, as by now you should have ensured that your lights are in working order so that you can see clearly in the dark. If you have trouble seeing in the dark, it may be smart to visit your eye doctor before taking off on your travels. They can prescribe you glasses to help improve your vision, ensuring that you keep everyone safe during night travels.

Stay On Top of the Weather

One of the greatest dangers of traveling during the winter months is snow, as it can create some hazardous driving conditions and is a leading cause of car accidents. As auto accident lawyers, many of the cases we see have to do with accidents that occurred due to the snow, so we like to emphasize the importance of knowing weather conditions during your travels. While the road may seem clear, cold weather conditions can create “black ice” which can cause your tires to slide and for you to lose control. All in all, make sure that you are ready to take on all weather conditions that may come your way, as this gives you the best opportunity to make it to your family safely.

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife

Maryland has a broad range of wildlife that you may come across while traveling long distances. This is especially true during the winter when many animals are migrating, mating, and are more active than usual. Animals can quickly dash across the road and create a potential for an accident, so it is vital that you are always paying attention, even more so at night! Animals of all shapes and sizes can cause great damage to your vehicle which can lead to injury and they must not be underestimated.