4 Safe Driving Tips For This Holiday Season

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is warning drivers of potential road dangers this Thanksgiving holiday, as more than 1.2 million residents are set to travel 50 miles or more.

“AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts that 1.2 million area residents will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s a 6 percent increase over the number who left the area last year and the largest amount since 2007,” The Washington Times reported.

As experts warn, a significant of those people who will be commuting through an automobile will likely be teenagers, which is why the concern is at its highest this year. Earlier this month, the media also reported on another research study by AAA, confirming that teen driving deaths have hit an all-time high.

Researchers have pointed out that teen drivers are three times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a fatal crash, according to the study. So yes, young drivers are among the most dangerous on the road. But that’s not to say there’s no hope for improving your chances of getting into an accident.

While it may not always be your fault, here are fiour tips you can follow to help prevent a collision – and even possibly fatalities – during the holidays.

1. Eye Balls On The Road

When it comes to teenage drivers, one of the principal factors of a horrific accident is the mobile phone. As technology has improved, so has our dependence on these devices. Utilizing the GPS can take your eyes off the road for a few seconds, but that’s all it takes for a fatal accident to occur.

If you don’t have one already, investing $11 in a magnetic phone mount – like this one, for example – can not only save your life but probably prevent you from totaling your precious car.

2. Hands Off The Booze!

In the United States, about 30 percent of fatalities involving car accidents, are caused by impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol. In 2008 alone, there were more than 11,000 deaths because of drunk drivers. All these senseless tragedies could’ve been avoided in the first place if, to begin with, none of the perpetrators had their car keys.

Even at low levels, alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that can slow down reaction time, sparking foolish choices that may lead to a life or death scenario.

3. Hide All The Car Keys

Despite what’s written in this piece, irresponsible binge drinking is going to occur anyhow. So here’s how to make sure everyone is safe: Have the responsible individual who will not be consuming alcohol take all the car keys and hide it from sight before the binge drinking starts. This way, responsible person in charge will be able to keep track of who is leaving and their mental state.

Do you have a friend or relative that is unfit to drive and has no way home? Call Uber. However, if for some reason —and I highly oppose to this decision — you had a couple of drinks, have no ride home, and might be in danger, try the following tips from the instructors at Texas Drivers Ed.

“One of the best ways to prevent accidents is to keep your eyes scanning the road ahead of you. Watch how traffic is moving – this boosts your reaction time and helps you prepare in case the car in front of you swerves or makes a sudden stop.”

4. Prevent Your Teen From Driving

This one is for all the parents who have teenage kids: It’s easier said than done. Giving strong advice to teenagers will likely enter one ear and travel out through the other. It’s important to prevent your teen from driving out of your sight during the holidays. The line, “Young drivers, are among the most dangerous on the road,” should speak volumes. Additionally, peer pressure also plays a factor in your teen ignoring the advice you gave a few hours ago.

Bottom line: Understand that every single decision you make in life has consequences, whether they are good or bad. As a person who lost friends and relatives to drunk drivers, I always stand by one quote: “Make it a night to remember – not a night to forget.”

Featured photo credit: Joe Bielawa via flickr.com

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Source: Lifehack.org