Every year, many national organizations and some local to the Phoenix area attempt to forecast the travel that is anticipated during busy times like holiday weekends. These estimates can help motorists plan their routes or even adjust their thoughts on a weekend trip depending on the number of drivers expected on the roads and the peak hours in which those drivers will operate. This year, AAA anticipates 37.2 million Americans will travel during the Memorial Day weekend and that many of those will be doing so by road.
Increased traffic by itself can be a threat to safety as road congestion tends to lead to car accidents. As those who live in the Phoenix area know, highways and interstates in the Valley can turn to stop-and-go with little or no warning and when traffic backs up, it can take hours to clear again. All of this can happen with a normal amount of drivers on the road and conditions only worsen as a heavy dose of holiday traffic joins the masses.
But while traffic is somewhat of a concern, the greatest concern to many over Memorial Day weekend will be the threat posed by drunk drivers. Drunk driving accidents are responsible for approximately one out of every three traffic-related deaths in America each year and more than 250 people in Arizona are killed by drunk drivers annually.
If you plan to be on the roads this weekend, the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. wish to remind you of the following tips to keep you and your family as safe as possible, regardless of the amount of traffic you may face:
– Slow down: Driving fast may seem to make sense because you may feel like you will arrive at your destination quicker and may even outrun some of the traffic congestion. But speeding is never a good idea and often can have tragic results. Speed is believed to be a factor in half of all car accidents in the nation and many of the collisions that cause injuries and death, so if you want to arrive at your destination safely, slow down and drive at a reasonable speed.
– Never drink and drive: Multiple police agencies across the Valley of the Sun have announced increased enforcement efforts to identify and stop drunk and impaired drivers before collisions occur this weekend. Not only is it a crime to operate while drunk but it is a risky and irresponsible behavior that threatens the safety of everyone near a drunk driver’s vehicle. In recognition of this threat and in an attempt to prevent as many drunk driving accidents as possible, police in areas including Chandler and Gilbert will be increasing their patrols and specifically looking for impaired motorists.
– Watch for dangerous drivers: Sadly, even the best drivers can still become accident victims if another motorist nearby acts in a negligent or reckless manner. While you cannot control the behavior of another driver, you should be vigilant for signs of dangerous driving so that you can take evasive means if necessary and practical. Even if it is not your fault, it is never ideal to be involved in a collision and avoidance is always desirable.
– Know your route before you leave: If you are driving to an unfamiliar location or on roads over which you have never traveled previously, take some time to work out your route before you leave. This can help you visualize your journey long before you are behind the wheel and you must make quick decisions about where to turn or when to exit. Simply familiarizing yourself with the available driving options can remove some of the stress that accompanies car trips and can let you focus on other, more pressing matters like the traffic around your car.
The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. wish you a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend free from accidents and from injuries. But if you are the unfortunate victim of a car crash in the greater Phoenix area, know that we will be standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call and to provide you with the answers you need.
We offer all injury victims a free case consultation without obligation when they call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and our team of attorneys will discuss your specific accident when you call. If we represent you, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf, so do not hesitate. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. now and let us fight for the relief that you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Police Chase Ends with Serious Motorcycle Crash, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 21, 2015.
Resource:
Memorial Day DUI task force set to roll, by Phil Benson, CBS5AZ.com, published May 20, 2015.