Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
If you are driving this July 4th weekend, whether it is locally or out-of-state, there are a few things you may need to observe in order to ensure your safety on the road. Times of celebration bring to mind more pleasant ideas than driver safety, but it is important to remember that holiday times tend to be some of the most dangerous times of the year in terms of road conditions.
In preparation for your road trip, there are essential things you can check on and within your vehicle to make sure that you are in a safe driving condition. The most basic item you could tick off your checklist first would be your tires. Checking your tire pressure before you take to the streets can be a key difference maker in terms of your fuel efficiency, and it can also play a vital role in your safety as well.
Another important item to check the quality of is your car’s battery. If you know that it has been awhile since you last replaced the battery in your car, it could be time to consider changing the battery for a new one. If you feel as though this can wait until you return from your trip, it would be a good idea to keep jumper cables handy in case you were to need them. In terms of driving, it is always better to be prepared for any possible circumstances that may arise.
Insurance.com also recommends that you test the various lights in your car before you set out on your voyage. Recruit a friend or family member to help out as you go through your headlights, taillights, and turning signals. While you check the working order of these lights from inside the vehicle, the other person can be sure to let you know if they can also see the lights functioning from outside the vehicle as well. If anything seems to be in subpar condition, it would be advisable to have whichever light replaced before you drive any long distances.
In preparation for holiday travel, it is also suggested that you should pack a first aid kit or roadside assistant kit with you before departure. In fact, these things would be beneficial to have on a day-to-day basis. Consider bringing along such items as: flash light, extra batteries, a phone charger, bottles of water, and food with a long shelf life. All of these things could be beneficial to you if you were to become stranded along the way. Be sure to double check the battery life of your cell phone in advance as well in case you were to be sidelined away from any other working telephones.
Two of the most crucial tips for safe driving are common sense ideals that should be practiced daily. It is always important to remember that you should not be driving if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you were to consume alcoholic beverages while out celebrating the July 4th weekend, it is highly recommended that you use a designated driver or call a cab in order to return home safely. Driving under the influence not only endangers you, but it poses a great deal of danger to all of those on the road with you.
In all driving situations, it is imperative to remember that wearing a seat belt increases your safety rate by quite a large margin. Ensuring that you are wearing your seat belt properly and that any children are in there proper car seats and booster seats can make a world of difference in a deadly situation.
Some other points that should be acknowledged are the speed in which you travel and the weather conditions that you are subjected to while driving. Abide by the speed limits in place in whichever city and state you are passing through and stick to those numbers as closely as possible. While weather can be a large variable, something as simple as checking the weather forecast before you leave could help you determine a more suitable time to travel. If you find yourself stuck in less-than-ideal weather conditions, pull over to the side of the road and wait for the inclement weather to pass before you continue on your way.
A final tip to keep in mind while traveling is to have proof of your car insurance readily available in your glove box or another easy to access place within your vehicle. For any possible accidents that may arise, it would also be helpful to keep a camera (whether on your phone or disposable) on hand to photograph an accident that takes place as well as having access to a pen and paper to take down any necessary information.
Should you find yourself involved in an accident this holiday weekend, give one of our Boston car accident lawyers a call. Our attorneys are available around the clock, feel free to give us a call at 617-492-3000 for a free consultation.
