A record number of travelers are expected to be hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend. Between Thursday, May 23rd and Monday, May 27th, AAA estimates that more than 43 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles to enjoy the three-day holiday weekend. We have some important driving safety tips that will help you avoid an accident and get you to your destination safely.
- Give Yourself Plenty of Time.
If you are planning to drive, even if it is just over to the beach this weekend, it is important that you get there safely. If you are heading out after work on Friday, you should anticipate more traffic than normal on the I-4 and other highways. With the ongoing road construction and increased traffic, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
- Do Not Drive Distracted.
Every day, at least nine Americans die and 100 are injured in distracted driving-related crashes, according to the National Safety Council. Memorial Day is one of the deadliest driving holidays of the year. Keep your focus on the road at all times. Cell phones, dashboard touchscreens, voice commands and other in-vehicle technologies pose a threat to driver and passenger safety. The convenience many of these devices offer is not worth the consequences that come with these distractions. As an attorney who handles these cases every day, my advice is to just DRIVE, avoid any and all distractions behind the wheel. Your life and other lives depend on it.
- Be Patient.
Not only do we recommend you give yourself extra travel time to get to your destination, we also recommend you exercise patience while behind the wheel. You may be dealing with drivers who are not familiar with our roads and have no clue how to handle the construction in our area. Take a few deep breaths and be as patient as possible. Road rage and aggression are surefire ways to get into a car accident.
- Plan Out Breaks.
If you are traveling for a long period of time, make sure you periodically stop to get out of your car and stretch your legs. The longer you drive without taking any type of break, the higher chances you have of becoming fatigued and not staying alert while behind the wheel.
- Drive with Caution on I-4.
According to AAA, Orlando topped the list of the most popular tourist destinations during the 2018 Memorial Day holiday, and 2019 is expected to be the same. We all know the times when I-4 is at its busiest. Memorial Day weekend traffic will take things to a whole new level. If you are traveling on I-4, use extra caution this weekend.
- Do Not Drink and Drive.
Looking at accident statistics between 2011 and 2015, 40 percent of all accidents reported those years happened on Memorial Day weekend and involved a drunk driver. If you plan on going to a cookout and have a few drinks, make sure you have a designated driver lined up so you can get home safely. If you cannot find a designated driver, take advantage of a ride-share service, such as Uber or Lyft, to get home. Also, understand that certain times of day are more dangerous than others. Even if you are not drinking, this does not mean you will not encounter other drivers who have been drinking all day and are now heading home. The evening and nighttime hours are times of the day when you should be cautious when heading home. Be a defensive driver and keep an eye on other cars around you. If you see someone swerving or driving erratically, stay behind that person and avoid riding too closely to him or her to avoid getting into an accident.
- Have Your Car Inspected.
If you are traveling a long distance for the holiday, make sure you have your car properly inspected. Make sure your gas tank is full, the tires are properly inflated, and windshield wipers are working. Also, make sure your car is equipped with certain safety items in the event your car breaks down on the road or you have a flat tire. If you have AAA, make sure you have your card and the help number handy in case you need it.
- Do Not Leave Children Unattended.
For those traveling with small children, keep a close eye on them when stopping at rest stops or gas stations. Never leave your children unattended in the car, even for a minute.
We are here if you need us this Memorial Day Weekend!
Nobody expects to be injured on a holiday weekend, but unfortunately, it does happen. Our firm is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are involved in any kind of accident over the holiday weekend- whether it be a car accident, theme park accident or pedestrian accident, contact The Benenati Law Firm. Personal Injury Attorney Walter Benenati understands Florida’s complex personal injury laws and fights hard to protect the legal rights of injured clients. At The Benenati Law Firm, we have a culture of care at our firm and provide clients with the attention and responsiveness their personal injury case deserves. You pay us nothing unless we win your case. Please do not hesitate to call our office today at 407-777-7777 for a free legal consultation. Abogado Hispano con experiencia en juicios sirviendo las necesidades legales de la comunidad de la Florida.