The National Safety Commission has issued a comprehensive plan for staying safe and avoiding car accidents as the perennial biggest travel holiday of the year begins Wednesday.
The Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving and urge you to do your part to keep the roads safe throughout the upcoming holiday season. Earlier this week we posted on Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer’s blog the first of a series of safe-holiday advisories, including AAA’s estimate of 41 million American travelers hitting the road.
And please designate a driver. Chicago drunk driving accidents and DUI accidents nationwide are responsible for significant numbers of traffic fatalities, particularly among young people.
In Illinois during the 2007 Christmas-New Year’s Holiday, 92 of the 214 young drivers who were killed during the holidays were impaired.
The commission reminds motorists that Thanksgiving is not only be busiest travel holiday of the year, but also the deadliest. The Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog reported that almost 1,000 people were seriously injured or killed during the Thanksgiving holiday last year in Illinois.
The National Safety Commission has the following tips:
Seat Belts
-Of the fatalities during the 2008 Thanksgiving weekend;
-More than two-thirds (67%) of the total fatalities did not have their seat belts fastened.
-40 percent of the fatalities in daytime crashes were not wearing seat belts.
Speed
Speeding is the major reason for traffic crashes; speed reduces reaction time and increases the force of a collision.
Wednesday
-Long-distance travel will be heaviest after work on Wednesday, extending normal rush-hour delays and causing congestion in more rural areas where traffic is typically lighter.
Fatigue and Frustration
-Fatigued and frustrated drivers may tempt drivers to take chances they otherwise would not take.
-Sleepy drivers may nod off at the wheel and are just as dangerous as drunk drivers.
Sunday
Most drivers will wait until Sunday afternoon to return home where they will face many of the same driving conditions that they faced on Wednesday evening.
Drunk Drivers
-Drivers are more likely to face drunk drivers following Sunday football games and other celebration.
The Commission recommends these actions to remain safe on the road:
-Try to leave on Tuesday and return either on Saturday or Monday when traffic is lighter and safer -Give yourself plenty of time -Allow for plenty of rest -Share driving duties with a fellow traveler and stop every couple hours for at least a short break -Don’t depend on caffeine or energy drinks -Understand that traffic will be heavy and don’t let your frustrations tempt you to take chances
-Watch the weather and adjust travel to accommodate road conditions -Wear your seat belt -Use safety seats for children -Don’t speed -Use your cruise control to prevent speeding -Don’t phone and drive- pull over when using cell phones -Don’t drink and drive
If you or a loved on is in a Thanksgiving traffic accident, the Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers and Chicago car accident attorneys at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.