Posted: December 19, 2016
AAA estimates a record breaking 103 million Americans will travel over 50 miles from their homes this Holiday Season. Despite there being fewer travel days this year, more than 93.5 million people are expected to make their Holiday travels by car alone. This represents a 1.5% increase over last year and marks the largest Holiday travel season since records have been kept by AAA.
While this is great news for families and friends who will reunite for joyful celebrations, it’s also a call to caution if you plan on being on the road this Holiday Season. 103 million people is 2.5x the population of Omaha – and although travel will not be centralized to Nebraska, we can expect a significant increase of traffic on our roads. Do your part to help prevent an auto accident by:
- Turning off your cellphone. A passenger can take care of communications while you’re driving. If you’re traveling alone, pull over or stop at a service station to make calls, send texts, and reply to emails.
- Programing GPS before you leave. If on-the-road adjustments need to be made, have a passenger make them or pull over before taking your eyes and attention off of the road.
- Giving yourself extra time to reach your destination. Giving yourself extra time enables you to:
- Obey all traffic signs and signals
- Allow at least a two-car length gap between your vehicle and those in front of you
- Avoid aggressive driving behaviors
Taking time to slow down, drive carefully, and pay full attention to the road will help prevent your causing an accident. If you are injured by someone not being as careful however, our Omaha personal injury lawyers can help. Call us at 402-371-4300 to schedule a consultation and learn more.
A White Christmas
The National Weather Service forecasts a cold mix of rain and snow on Christmas day in Northeast Nebraska. But even if you are not traveling on a stormy day, it is a good idea to be prepared for roadside emergencies. Make sure you have blankets and extra warm clothes along with plenty of snacks and water in case an unexpected event delays your travels. Having a tow rope, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, and canister of tire sealant is also a good idea.
You can make an emergency roadside kit on your own or purchase a premade kit, but it’s best to travel with one.
If you plan on traveling this Holiday Season, please be careful. If you are injured while traveling in Northeast Nebraska, please contact Copple, Rockey, McKeever & Schlecht to schedule a consultation at our Omaha or Norfolk office and learn how we can help you get the compensation you are due.
