The holidays are always a busy year for both families and the police. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, car accidents have been rising in Chicago. Statistics show that there are usually about 1,000 more car crashes around this time than during other times throughout the previous year. This increase is due to reduced visibility and poor driving skills from alcohol consumption or lack of sleep.
Why Do Road Collisions Increase During The Holidays?
Besides the surge in traffic, one of the reasons for increased car accidents during holidays is people celebrating and drinking alcohol. According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal crashes involving drunk drivers increase significantly on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The percentage of alcohol-related fatalities on these days is almost three times higher than the daily average, 25%. It was also found that the increase in deaths on New Year’s Day matches the combined total of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Labor Day.
While some are victims of hit-and-run accidents, others are victims of drunk drivers. This means that for every one person killed in a car accident during the holidays. Unfortunately, many people do not realize how dangerous it is to drive after drinking and continue to do so even when they know they’re over the legal limit.
One way of preventing these needless deaths is for everyone to designate a driver before going out or spending the night celebrating. If you are hosting a party, make sure to have non-alcoholic drinks and food available for guests. You can also remind your loved ones not to drink and drive.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, contact Chicago’s top injury law firm as soon as possible. They will advise you on your legal rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
It’s already challenging to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, but it can be even more complicated when the holidays are involved. With all of the extra traffic and people out celebrating, the chances of a collision go up significantly.
How To Prevent Car Accidents In Chicago?
Nowadays, car accidents are one of the primary reasons people visit an emergency room. While there is no denying that they can be pretty dangerous, to avoid these kinds of incidents from happening, you need to always stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. Things may go wrong anytime, so it’s best to prepare yourself in advance just in case.
Some of the most common causes of road collisions include:
- Impaired driving: Whether it’s because the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not paying attention, sleepy, etc., impaired driving accounts for a large number of car accidents each year.
- Speeding: This goes without saying that speeding is one of the most common reasons for road accidents. When you drive too fast, you put yourself in danger and other motorists as well.
- Distracted driving: With the advent of smartphones, keeping your eyes on the road has become a lot more difficult now than before. More and more people are using their mobile devices while behind the wheel, which can be extremely dangerous, especially if you’re dealing with heavy traffic at that time.
If you want to avoid getting into a car crash, you should stay away from these activities while driving:
- Talking on the phone or texting behind the wheel is extremely dangerous, so don’t do this at all if possible.
- When making a call, pull over and stop your vehicle before doing so.
- Eating or drinking while driving can also be a significant distraction, so it’s best to avoid this as much as possible.
- Putting on make-up, adjusting the GPS, or playing with the stereo are all activities that can take your attention away from the road, so try to do them before or after you start driving.
If you’re a passenger, make sure to speak up if the driver is doing anything mentioned above. Let them know that it’s dangerous and can lead to an accident—the more people who are aware of this, the better.
Finally, always remember to wear your seatbelt whenever you’re in the car. It’s also essential that you drive defensively and always give yourself enough space to maneuver around other vehicles or pedestrians if needed.
What Should You Do When Involved In A Collision?
When you’re involved in a car accident, the first thing you need to do is stay calm. Panicking will only make things worse, so try to take deep breaths and assess the situation. If anyone is injured, you must call for help immediately.
Next, move your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic if possible. If you can’t do this, put out any flares or warning triangles that you have to alert other motorists. Ensure to stay at the scene until the police arrive and exchange information with the other driver(s).
If there are any witnesses, ask them for their contact information so that you can contact them if needed. Also, try to take pictures of the scene and write down as much information about what happened as you can before it gets too late.
If possible, document everything with your phone, such as photos and videos of the damage done to both vehicles; make/model/license plate number; any personal injuries sustained; contact/insurance information of the other party; and so on.
When you’re done, wait for the police to arrive, as they will help determine who is at fault in the collision. Be sure to follow their instructions so that things can go smoothly from there on out.
Final Words
If you want to avoid getting into a car accident during the holidays, be sure to follow these simple tips. Stay calm and drive defensively and if you’re ever involved in an accident, know what to do. Remember that it’s always best to have a plan B if things don’t go as expected.
