Travel Safely This Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is a dangerous time to be on the road. In fact, it is the most dangerous time for driving out of the entire year because the roads are the busiest with almost 90 percent of people travelling by car. Statistics show that fatalities are the highest during Thanksgiving weekend. Last year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 431 traffic accident deaths during the four day Thanksgiving holiday.

The Citrus County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton encourage you and your loved ones to stay safe this Thanksgiving. We urge you to follow these tips when you are out on the roadways:

• Wear Your Seatbelt. While this is may seem obvious, 51 percent of those killed last year in motor vehicle collisions were not buckled up. Fastening seatbelts has been proven to save lives, so make sure you wear your seatbelt this holiday weekend. Police will be out in full force looking for drivers and passengers that are not wearing their seatbelts and issuing tickets, so please buckle up!
• Be Cautious of the Wednesday and Sunday Rush. Most motorists travelling longer distances leave Wednesday after work to get home for the Thanksgiving holiday. This can make the roads congested and tempt sleepy drivers to nod off behind the wheel. Be aware that drowsy drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers, so stay alert! Also, keep in mind that many college students travel home on Thanksgiving Eve, also known as Blackout Wednesday, so be extra cautious for drunk drivers. Similarly, many people start travelling back home on Sunday after a day of watching football and consuming a few cocktails. It is recommended to leave on Tuesday and return home on Saturday or Monday if at all possible.
• Follow the Speed Limit. Speeding is a leading cause of car crashes because higher speeds reduce the amount of time you have to react to an emergency situation. The Florida Highway Patrol issued more than 5,000 speeding tickets last Thanksgiving. This year police will be doing the same. Understand that even if you are only exceeding the speed limit by five miles, police can still issue you a speeding ticket. Using your cruise control can help you avoid going over the speed limit.
• Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time and Check Weather Conditions Before Heading Out of Town.
• Keep Your Cell Phone Out of Sight When Driving. Distracted driving causes numerous traffic fatalities every year, so make sure your eyes remain focused on the road at all times.

If you or someone you love is injured this Thanksgiving holiday on the roadways of Inverness, Crystal River, Beverly Hills, Lecanto, Homosassa, Dunnellon, Hernando, Sugarmill Woods, Citrus Springs or Floral City, a Citrus County Auto Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you and your loved ones understand your legal rights and options. We are proud to help families obtain maximum recovery after an injury has been sustained in a car accident that was someone else’s fault. For a free legal consultation, contact us online or call us at 352-726-0078 day or night. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions free of charge.

The Citrus County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend!