It’s often been called the “most wonderful time of the year”; however, if you are driving during the Christmas season, you have a greater chance of being involved in an alcohol-related car accident fatality. This sobering statistic is one that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) hopes will cause holiday party-goers to drive a bit more responsibly. According to statistics, more drivers are killed in alcohol-related crashes on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day than on any other day in the month of December. In fact, 54% of all New Year’s Day accident deaths and 38% of all Christmas time accident deaths are the result of a drunk driver.
Holiday Driving Safety Tips
If you are driving through Seattle, Bellevue, or anywhere in the State of Washington this holiday season, we want you to arrive alive. In order to stay safe this holiday season, it is important to follow these simple safety tips:
Designate a Driver
Christmas parties and holiday festivities can be a blast, but if you drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are putting yourself and others at risk. Drunk driving is never okay and is against the law. Before you head out, be sure you have a designated driver lined up for the evening. If you can’t find someone to drive you home, be sure to have the name and number of a reputable taxi company in your wallet.
Winterize your Car NOW
It is a good idea to winterize your car now, before the really bad winter weather arrives. Be sure to check your tires, brakes, and fluid levels. Underinflated tires contribute to more than 33,000 injuries a year and more than 600 fatalities.
Prepare an Emergency Car Kit
While you are winterizing your car, take a few minutes to prepare an emergency car kit, complete with working flares, bandages, and a blanket. If your car stalls or breaks down in bad winter weather, working flares can help other cars recognize that you are in distress.
Put the Cell Phone DOWN
While it may be tempting to text your friend a picture of your latest Christmas shopping spree or look on your GPS for directions to your co-worker’s holiday party, distracted driving kills more than 5,400 people every year and injures an additional 448,000. Put your cellphone down and focus on the road at all times. If you must use your cell phone, pull off the road and find somewhere safe to park.
Have a Safe Holiday Season
At Phillips Law Firm, our Washington personal injury attorneys want you to enjoy everything this holiday season has to offer. This is truly the “most wonderful time of the year” and we want you to stay safe throughout the Christmas season. If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident in Seattle, Bellevue, or anywhere in the State of Washington, call Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000. Our Washington personal injury lawyers are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.
