Holiday Drivers

By Ben Glass, Esquire

It's that wonderful time of year again; the holiday season. Amidst the gifts, parties, and last year's failed New Year's resolutions, many people forget that this is a very dangerous time of year on the roads.

Thanksgiving is the most dangerous holiday of the year for traffic fatalities, but a close second is New Year's. According to Forbes, half of those accidents involve alcohol. With so many people getting on the road when they shouldn't be, some extra awareness (and maybe taking the scenic route) can end up saving a life.

Alcohol is the primary concern here, but there are other factors that lead to dangerous conditions during the holidays – icy roads, driving at dusk, overcrowding on the highways. And it doesn't help the situation when you learn from Ed Greene of The Vision Council that over 11 million Americans have uncorrected vision problems.

This doesn't mean that you should expect the worst, just that you should plan for it. So, should you get into an accident, here's what to do.

First, tend to your health and the health of others involved. This is always priority number one. Good health care should be at the front of your thinking and decision making.

Second, keep good records of the event (pictures, insurance information, contact information, as well as an injury log as your treatment progresses).

Finally, should you need to take legal action, look online for books and free materials that can help educate you about the process.

Remember, although it's important to prepare for doom-and-gloom scenarios (because they do happen, we see it daily), the holidays are really about family, love, and giving. Be thankful and enjoy the company of the people you care about. Stay safe, stay warm, and happy holidays.