Steering Clear of Vehicle Crashes on Labor Day
The first Monday in September is one to celebrate, but also one to be cautious of. Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers and recognizes the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of America.
One of the busiest and deadliest holidays on the road is Labor Day, and California is unfortunately all too familiar with fatal car accidents during this holiday weekend. Data analyses revealed that Los Angeles is among the top three deadliest cities during Labor Day weekend, recording 117 total car accident deaths between 2004 and 2018. During that same time period, the entire state of California had a total of 547 vehicle collision deaths.
As a result, our lawyers urge you to practice safe driving this Labor Day weekend and follow the driving tips below:
- Plan ahead: Check to ensure your vehicle is in good condition to handle long hours on the road. You may be stuck in traffic, bad weather conditions and other inconvenient situations, so it’s best to prepare for the worst. Examine your vehicle's engine, radiator, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, etc. are in good condition before getting on the road.
- Get enough sleep: Holiday traffic, especially during Labor Day weekend, can be exhausting. That’s why it’s in your best interests to get plenty of sleep the night before you travel.
- Use a GPS or map: You may have experienced what a “lost person” drives like, and it can be dangerous. Sometimes drivers who don’t have dependable navigation tools can make unsafe driving choices, like driving too slowly, cutting people off and making improper turns. Thus, it’s wise to input your destination before you start driving to get an idea of the roads, highways and exits you will take.
- Drive defensively: No matter how safe you drive, you cannot trust that other drivers will do the same. Driving defensively is among the most important safe driving tips in this list, as it can help you anticipate and better prevent bad situations from happening. If you see a driver speeding, texting while driving or driving recklessly, do your best to change lanes or slow down to avoid them.
- Avoid distractions: Texting while driving, playing music, eating, using your GPS and other distractions are a common part of our every day driving habits. This doesn’t mean it is acceptable, though. Labor Day weekend consists of high DUI rates, so do your best to avoid contributing to the dangers of the road.
Our Santa Barbara criminal defense attorneys at Appel & Morse wish you a fun and safe Labor Day weekend. Although 2020 has been full of unprecedented obstacles, we hope these driving tips help you avoid further hurdles. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at (805) 467-6060 to learn more!