How to Drive Safely During the Holidays: Don't Get in an Atlanta Auto Accident During your Holiday Trip!

An Atlanta Chiropractor comments:

At Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta, we often see patients who have experienced an auto accident injury in Atlanta. We want to discuss with you today on the options you have to prevent yourself from getting in an auto accident over the holidays. You may not know that you are at a higher risk during the holidays to get in an auto accident, but it makes sense if you think about the number of stressed people on the road. However, you don't need to just accept this increased risk because most holiday accidents can be prevented by following these holiday driving tips!

Why are there more auto accidents over the holidays?

There are many reasons why there are more auto accidents in Atlanta over the holidays. For one, there are just more people on the road, whether they are taking a short shopping trip to one of Atlanta's many malls and shopping centers, or driving across Georgia to visit family. There is also an increase in parties which may involve drinking around the holidays, and statistically there are more drivers under the influence out on the roads.  When you take into account that people are generally stressed and in a hurry around the holidays, you can see that we've created a disastrous recipe for holiday auto accidents.

Don't fret, most auto accidents can be prevented. Take the initiative and prevent yourself from being involved in an auto accident in Atlanta by following the prevention tips outlined below.

Tips to Prevent a Holiday Auto Accident

Follow these easy tips to substantially reduce your chance of becoming involved in an auto accident in Atlanta. If you're going on a trip away from home, it's even more important to follow these tips so you don't have an accident far away from home.

1. Change your oil: Even if you still have a few hundred miles before your next scheduled oil change, you should still get the next oil change done early if possible. Changing your oil will improve lubrication in your engine, and fresh oil also picks up many types of impurities. By regularly changing your oil, you can help keep your car or truck in tip-top shape.
2. Inspect your tires: The first thing to take into account when looking at your tires is the amount of tread. You can check the tread by ensuring that the grooves in your tires are at least 2/32" deep (the legal limit). If you are going to be traveling in the rain or snow, you should have treads with grooves that are 4/32" or 6/32" deep. Treads with deep enough grooves will help your tires perform better in bad driving conditions. In addition to the treads, you also want to check your tire's air pressure since correctly inflated tires will improve your automobile's handling and reduce your chances of getting a flat tire. Properly inflated tires with a good amount of tread could help you avoid an auto accident!
3. Plan for traffic: Allow plenty of extra traveling time to account for the heavy traffic which occurs immediately before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
4. Follow posted speed limits and adjust your speed to driving conditions: Time is precious during the holidays, but being in a hurry and speeding are major causes of holiday accidents. Plan ahead to allow enough time for your driving trip (taking into account Tip 3) and make sure that you pay attention to changing conditions and drive at or under the speed limit. Pay attention to other drivers on the road and drive defensively. These small steps will help you arrive safely at your destination.
5. Plan stops to keep yourself fresh during long trips: When taking a road trip that is longer than an hour or two, you should plan to make stops along the way. When you get out of your automobile to take a rest stop, you help keep yourself alert by getting your blood pumping. If you're feeling tired, you can also help wake yourself up by stopping and grabbing some food or a cup of coffee. If possible, switch drivers at each stop in order to keep drivers fresh at the wheel and avoid an auto accident.
6. Avoid distractions: Distractions while driving have become a major cause of auto accidents in the United States. Distractions include texting, talking on your cell phone, adjusting your GPS or iPod, and anything else that takes your eyes or mind off the road. Many states have actually passed laws punishing certain kinds of distractions while driving. Even if you're driving in an area where this behavior is legal, you should still always avoid any distractions while driving. Just take a few minutes to stop on the side of the road to take care of any of these activities and you will greatly reduce the chances of having an auto accident.
7. Bring a safety kit: Your safe road trip kit should include essential items such as a cell phone, a flashlight, extra batteries, ice scraper (if needed), warm blankets, jumper cables and a first aid kit. Many people will also include drinking water and snacks in their automobile safety kit.
8. Always have a designated driver: Many people will be exposed to alcohol and drinking during the holidays. You can easily avoid getting into an alcohol-related auto accident by designating someone as a sober driver before anyone starts drinking.
9. Wear your seatbelt: You want to avoid an auto accident, but you also need to be prepared for the worst. Therefore you should always ensure that infants and small children are safely buckled into a safety seat, and that everyone else in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt at all times during any driving trips. This will greatly protect your family from harm in case there is a collision.

Keep in mind that many drivers on the road are worried, hurried or distracted during the holiday season. Because other drivers may be less careful, you must make sure you stay vigilant to avoid an auto accident in Atlanta. If you follow these holiday driving safety tips, you are one step closer to making sure that you have the best holiday season yet!

Happy Holidays from Senft Chiropractic, your Atlanta Chiropractor!