Synopsis
- Motor vehicle crashes remain to be a leading cause of rising injury and
fatality rates not only across the U.S. but also right here in Indiana. - AAA says those rates are expected to momentarily hike over the upcoming
Independence Day holiday as the most number of travelers ever are expected
to hit American roadways. - Although most drivers were taught valuable safe driving skills, not everyone
continues to practice them. Hoosiers generally rank in the middle compared
to the rest of the country for good and bad drivers, except that they
repeatedly score low on obeying traffic laws like wearing a seat belt
and not driving impaired. - Bad driver behaviors contribute to a significant number of deaths and lifelong
injuries to themselves or others. And since not every accident can be
prevented, it remains important for all drivers to practice safe driving
this busy 4th of July season.
Road Officials Say Driver Crash Risks Will Increase This 4th of July
Driver support group AAA is making sure all U.S. drivers become aware of
their increased road risks this Independence Day holiday. Officials recently
released news that American roadways will experience the largest group of 4th of July drivers ever since the organization started tracking holiday traffic
18 years ago. Nearly 40 million say they will be traveling away from home
from Tuesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 8. That is an increase of more than
5 percent compared with last year.
Drivers will experience the worst congestion over the holiday week on July
3, being dubbed by AAA as “Terrible Tuesday.” The late afternoon
hours and evening hours will be the busiest when those leaving work will
join holiday travelers on the road making commuter times twice as long.
In addition, road construction and detours across Indiana may also add
to congested travel time.
Annual accident reports show the connection between the increase in road
congestion and traffic wrecks.
Driver Behavior Must Be at Its Best During Busy Travel
Increased traffic patterns caused by holiday travel can create even riskier
driver situations when summer construction zones, more pedestrians and
motorcycles, and drunk drivers are involved. And since Hoosiers’
road safety rating when obeying traffic laws is already ranked low, we
could see a significant number of tragedies this 4th of July holiday. Allow this alert and these five travel tips be a reminder
that we all have a responsibility in keeping each other safe so everyone
can arrive to their destination accident free.
- Use a seat belt in every seat, on every trip, no matter how short.
- Make sure children are always properly buckled in the back seat in a car
seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age,
height, and weight. - Choose not to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and help others
do the same. - Obey speed limits and respect construction zones.
- Drive without distractions (such as using a cell phone or texting).
Our team of motor vehicle attorneys at Wagner Reese wish you and your family
the best over this Independence Day celebration!
Bad Drivers Need to Be Stopped
If tragedy strikes and you or someone you love is injured in a holiday
related or congested driving accident, please call the
vehicular accident attorneys at Wagner Reese for a free consultation. Connect with us by
submitting our online form, and our attorneys will review your information, and respond promptly.
If you wish to speak directly with us, please call (888) 204-8440.