As the last summer holiday, Labor Day brings an increase in travel. With more vehicles on the highway this upcoming weekend, here are some tips to keep you and other drivers safe behind the wheel.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
During Labor Day weekend there is typically an increase in drunk driving deaths. You are likely to see police officers and state highway patrol out in full force for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign aimed to educate drivers on the consequences and dangers of drunk driving.
This weekend you should have a plan whether you are driving, riding or hosting a party:
- Before you begin drinking, make sure you have a plan for a safe and sober ride home.
- Don’t let anyone get behind the wheel if they know they’ve been drinking.
- If you’re having a party, please make sure all your attendees have a safe and sober ride home.
- If you see an impaired driver, call 911.
- And make sure you are wearing your seat belt as it is the best defense against impaired drivers.
Don’t Drive Distracted
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 3,142 people were killed by distracted driving in 2019. To help lower this figure, drivers should make sure they are giving their full attention when they take to the road. A large part of this includes staying off of cell phones and not texting and driving.
Distracted driving goes beyond texting and driving – it also includes playing with the radio or other items on the dashboard, eating and anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road.
Plan Ahead for Road Congestion and Construction
With more drivers on the road there is likely to be more congestion and slowdowns. Drivers should plan ahead and leave extra time to ensure a timely and safe arrival. If possible, drivers should try to avoid traveling through the peak rush-hour times.
One way to avoid some highway congestion is planning ahead. Construction areas often reduce the number of lanes open and require lower speeds, causing traffic to back up. GPS technology can reroute drivers around these areas and find quicker routes. This will save time and fuel, making it more efficient for drivers
Drivers who end up in a traffic jam should exercise patience on the road and remember safe driving techniques such as signaling lane changes and allowing extra space to brake.
Stay a Safe Distance Behind the Car Ahead of You
Drivers should follow the 2-second rule – ensuring they are keeping a 2-second distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them. This gives extra space to allow the vehicle to stop suddenly if the car in front of it slows down or comes to a stop. Larger vehicles should allow more time, as it will take the heavier trucks more time to come to a complete stop. Drivers should also allow more space between vehicles during poor driving conditions, like wet roads.
Check Your Vehicle Maintenance
To avoid any unexpected breakdowns while traveling, vehicles should be current on any needed maintenance before hitting the road. Keeping up with preventative maintenance will help identify any potential issues the vehicle and driver might encounter, allowing them to be serviced before the problem becomes bigger and could lead to a potential breakdown. Your vehicles’ air conditioning and cooling systems should also be checked.
An accident is probably the last thing you’d like to consider while planning your holiday. However, if you are in a car accident you need to know what to do. First, don’t panic. Help others and call emergency services. Call law enforcement. If you were injured by another driver, you may need a personal injury lawyer. Make sure you gather evidence at the scene of the accident, which your personal injury attorney can use later. Car accidents can be a traumatizing experience. The dedicated personal injury lawyers at Hardee, Massey & Blodgett are here to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We hope you have a very happy and safe Labor Day weekend.