Holidays in the United States are marked by celebrations with friends and family. Holidays are also characterized by driving. Whether you are traveling long distances to see family members or across town for a holiday party, it is important to stay safe on the roadways. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers want to take some time to share some tips on how to stay safe on the roadway during any holiday throughout the year.
THE ROADWAYS ARE MORE CROWDED DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Holidays are the times of the year when most people are traveling on the roadway. Whether going long distances or across town, there are more vehicles on the roadways over these holidays:
- Christmas and New Year’s
- Thanksgiving
- Fourth of July
- Memorial Day Weekend
- Labor Day Weekend
When we turn to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for data, we can see that these holidays bring an increase in traffic volume. Not only does traffic increase during those holidays, but also on the weekend before and the weekend after these holidays. Combined, these holiday periods accounted for over 15,000 total crashes and 134 fatalities during the latest reporting year in the Commonwealth.
Armed with this data, you know that you will need to take extra precautions during these holidays when driving. Even if you are not traveling far, be aware that there will be an increased number of vehicles on the roadway.
WATCH OUT FOR DRINKING AND DRIVING DURING MAJOR HOLIDAYS
According to information from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we know that there is two to three times the number of alcohol-related collisions between the Thanksgiving holiday and New Year’s than at any other time over the course of the year. This data coincides with information from PennDOT. During the latest reporting year, 10% of all crashes in Pennsylvania over the holidays were alcohol-related. They state that 41% of all fatalities that occurred over the holidays were related to alcohol use.
When you are driving during the holidays, or the weekend surrounding these holidays, it is important to be aware that there will be impaired drivers on the roadway. Practice your defensive driving techniques and avoid any drivers that you suspect may be impaired.
WE ARE STANDING BY TO HELP WITH YOUR CASE
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident over the holidays that was caused by another driver’s negligence, let the team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman help. We will investigate every aspect of your crash in order to secure the compensation you are entitled to, which can include:
- Coverage of your holiday crash medical bills
- Compensation for lost income if you cannot work
- Mental anguish damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party
When you need a personal injury lawyer in Pittsburgh, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-988-9467.