Top 3 Common Accident Causes During the Holidays
As tourists flock to Southern California to escape the cold weather and people are traveling to be with loved ones during the holidays, the annually increased roadway traffic during this time of year can be stress-inducing for any driver. However, it can also be a catalyst for the increase in motor vehicle accidents that are common during the season.
The 72-hour Christmas period alone accounts for 10% of collisions during the month of December, and the causes of these crashes may vary from other times of the year. Read on to learn about the three most common causes of accidents during the holidays.
#1. Driving Under the Influence
Impaired driving is an unfortunately common part of the holiday season. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately 38% of fatal collisions during the Christmas period involve an impaired driver, which is 10% greater than the national average on other days of the year.
Remember: DUI laws still apply during the holiday season, so be mindful of drivers on the road that appear to be under the influence. Likewise, never get into a vehicle with an impaired driver, and make a backup plan to get home if you plan on consuming alcohol.
#2. Distractions
With the stressors that can come with the season, increased roadside lighting and decor, and enthusiastic children, there is no shortage of distractions during this time of year. And with more people on the roads traveling to places they don't frequent, using GPS systems and fielding phone calls from relatives can add an extra layer to this. So much so that studies have shown that phone usage while driving increases by 33% during the Christmas period and 26% during New Year's.
Be aware of how these distractions affect your driving ability, especially if traveling to a place with inclement weather conditions that may make the roads more hazardous. It is also best to have another person serve as the navigator so you can keep your eyes on the road at all times.
#3. Parking Lots
Did you know that those last-minute shopping trips before Christmas often result in hundreds of parking lot disasters every year? According to a representative from the Automobile Club of Southern California, the Friday before Christmas is one of the days with the highest number of auto claims, about 14% of which are parking lot-related.
Despite vehicle manufacturers looking to remedy this by adding backup cameras on vehicles, motorists still assume the responsibility of scanning for pedestrians and other vehicles while backing up or otherwise driving in a parking lot/garage.
Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys
Our Southern California attorneys encourage safe driving behaviors every day of the year, but especially during the holiday season when many are spending time with loved ones. If injured in a motor vehicle accident, call (818) 222-9720 to schedule a free consultation with our Effres & Effres team to discuss your potential case.