Whether you are traveling for the holidays or simply trying to get to and from work, commutes can be dangerous for numerous reasons. Drivers can get distracted by looking at roadside decorations or watching how traffic behind them deals with the icy, snowy conditions. For everyone on the road, the holidays represent a challenging time to drive.
Generally, the holiday season encompasses Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years but it can extend further depending on your locale and the weather you are facing. Unfortunately, numerous holiday driving hazards can be identified. Four common hazards include:
- Distracted driving: Driving distractions can run the full gamut from eating while behind the wheel to manipulating a navigational system and everything in between. From talking to passengers to opening a bag of chips to snack on during the commute home from work, any activity that pulls a driver’s attention from the road becomes a dangerous distraction.
- Impaired driving: With countless holiday parties on the calendar, it is not uncommon for drivers to get behind the wheel while chemically impaired. This doesn’t always mean alcohol, though, as drivers can be impaired by drugs or strong medication. Severe cold medicine, for example, is known to cause drowsiness.
- Drowsy driving: As mentioned above, cold medication can dull reflexes and make drivers tired. Also, the long workday and early darkness can hurt a driver’s focus.
- Pressured driving: Drivers might be stressed in general during the winter months and manifest this frustration in poor driving decisions. From aggressive lane changes and speeding, drivers will often follow too closely and miss stopped traffic or slick patches of road.
Motor vehicle collisions can result in serious injuries to vehicle occupants. Individuals can suffer broken bones and lacerations to brain damage and spinal cord trauma. If you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, it is wise to discuss your case with a trusted legal professional.