Whether it is singing along to great Christmas music, fretting over the undone gift list or running for the third time to the grocery store to get more butter, eggs or cinnamon, there are way more distractions while driving during the holidays. It’s just harder to stay focused this time of year with everything we have to do and all the fun things we want to do. Add in holiday lights and huge inflatables in yards, and there are a lot more seasonal reasons for our eyes to leave the road.
Holidays traditionally are a time of travel for families across the United States. Many choose car travel which, according to the National Safety Council, has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. And let’s not forget the holiday gatherings, when drinks are often overpoured in celebration, a major contributing factor to motor-vehicle crashes.
I’m no Grinch and I enjoy celebrating the holidays by gathering with friends and family, supporting community events, and enjoying the festivities and holiday lights. But I try to stay extra alert and focused when on the roads this time of year. I hope you do too. The more of us being cautious on the roads means that more of us get to celebrate this season joyfully instead of dealing with the inconveniences, or sadly even tragedies, of accidents during what should be a wonderful time of year.
May your holidays be jolly, but also be free of any accidents this year. Let’s keep the roads safe for all those heading home for the holidays or just to the grocery one more time.