Holidays Lead to Increased Distractions

 Posted on October 27, 2016 in Car Accidents

When traveling from one destination to another, it is not uncommon to witness a driver talking or texting on his or her smartphone, applying makeup, or reaching into the backseat to assist a child. All of these distractions take a driver's concentration off of the road. However, the addition of the holidays can bring about an increase in distractions, drunk driving, and vehicle accidents. 

Plan for Other Distracted Drivers

During the holiday travel season you may encounter drivers who are distracted by more than a smartphone or child. Distractions may include the following:

• Time constraints;
• Bulky winter clothing;
• Weather hazards;
• Adjusting of the temperature controls to defrost, defog, and heat;
• Slowing for holiday lights;
• Using map apps to find locations; and
• Driving while intoxicated. 

Therefore, when driving during the holiday season, it is important to take extra precautions to maintain your concentration on the road and to remove as many distractions as possible. For instance, limit your cellphone use to emergency calls only. If you must make a call, it is best to pull over to the right shoulder and then make your call, even if you are using a hands-free device. Also, take your time driving. It is easy to get caught up in the "hustle and bustle" of the holiday season. However, it is more important to keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers safe while on the road.

If you encounter a drunk driver, MADD suggests that you remain as far away from the vehicle as possible. Also, do not attempt to pass the vehicle or signal the driver to pull over. If you are able to, take note of the vehicle's license number and description. Finally, pull over and call 911. 

The Impact of Distractions

One may believe that looking down at a smartphone to press “send” is not a big deal. However, at the average speed of 55 MPH, in the five seconds that a driver looks at the screen to find the “send” button, he or she will travel the length of a football field without total control of his or her vehicle. And texting is only one driving interruption. Response times are significantly slower for all diversions. Studies have shown response rates decrease at the following percentages:

• Texting: 34.7 percent;
• Drunk Driving: 12.5 percent;
• Eating: 44 percent; and
• Drinking non-alcoholic beverages: 22 percent.

Speak with a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you are injured in a vehicle accident during the holiday travel season, you may be left wondering what steps you should take next.  A skilled San Jose, CA personal injury attorney can help. Contact The Law Office of John J. Garvey, III to schedule your risk-free initial consultation to discuss your case and your options. We proudly service clients in Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and other surrounding counties. Call 408-293-7777 today.

Sources:

www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811555.pdf

http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html

https://www.geico.com/information/safety/auto/teendriving/distracted-driving/

http://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/how-you-can-help/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-drunk.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/