Keeping Safe on the Road This Spring Break

Spring Break has nearly arrived in Texas, and soon the highways will be packed with out-of-state college students and families visiting our warm beaches, including locals and everyday drivers coming and going to work or vacation.

Unfortunately, this is also a time for drunk drivers, negligent motorists, and bad driving behavior in general. With highways and roadways becoming more congested in the next few weeks, now is the time to prepare yourself with some safety tips to make sure you are able to enjoy this Spring Break safely. As fatal traffic accidents can jump by nearly 10% during this time of the year , your dedicated team of Houston car accident lawyers at Lapeze & Johns want to prepare you for the road ahead by providing the following top 5 driving tips for this Spring Break.

Whether you’re going to be doing a bit of sight-seeing with your children or headed down to South Padre Island with your college friends, preparation is always your best bet to prevent a serious accident, or worse. Consider the following.

This is the number one tip to prevent a tragedy from happening. Never drink and drive. This type of behavior not only puts you and your passengers at risk but also the lives of fellow motorists.

If you’re heading out with friends for the night, plan ahead by choosing a designated driver. If everyone in your party is going to be drinking, then use a car-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.

It’s also important to remember that being responsible includes taking care of intoxicated friends. Keeping them off the road can prove to save a life. Share a Lyft/Uber with them, and keep innocent people free from harm.

One of the best measures to take to avoid an emergency is to plan for the trip beforehand. This should mean checking tires, oil levels, brakes, vehicle fluids, wipers, and any other component that might need fixing before heading out the door. Taking care of problems beforehand can prevent any major issues from occurring later.

It’s also in your best interest to prepare an emergency roadside kit. These can include a number of useful items like flares, reflective road triangles, flashlights, extra batteries, extra water and food, jumper cables, tools, blankets, a spare, and a jack. These items can prove to be extremely helpful in a tough situation.

Yes, the beach may be calling you, but that should never cause you to jeopardize your well being and that of your passengers. While getting to your destination quickly is likely to be a priority, don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation by traveling in horrible weather or bad road conditions. The springtime can mean plenty of heavy rain, so make sure to slow down and always follow the speed limit.

Also, keep an eye out for construction areas and car accidents, where traffic can swiftly come to a halt. Pay attention to road signs that may warn of traffic hold-ups, and take your time maneuvering through them.

Traveling with others is an excellent way to prevent fatigue. Not only will passengers help keep your energy levels high through conversation, but you can also rotate with them to give everyone a chance behind the wheel. This will help prevent drowsiness while giving everyone the opportunity to take a break to re-energize.

Traveling with multiple passengers can be especially helpful for very long distances, as many college-aged drivers will be doing so during Spring Break.

Spring Break vacation often entails traveling to new cities that you’ve never been to before. While this can be exciting, it can also spell danger if you aren’t comfortable driving in a new area and if you aren’t too sure of where you’re going.

Nowadays, most smartphones come with some sort of GPS application which generally works great, but just like anything technological, they can run out of battery right when you need them most. Because of this, you should always have a traditional map on hand just in case you’re lost out in the boondocks or in an unfamiliar part of town without your GPS to use.

You’ll also want to avoid using your GPS (or map) while driving. Instead, have another passenger handle navigation instructions for you.

Being the safest driver on the road doesn’t guarantee all other drivers are following the same rules. If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident, then look no further than the trustworthy team of Lapeze & Johns to obtain the recovery you deserve.

With 35 years of total experience, a 95% success rate, and over $350 million recovered for clients, Lapeze & Johns are the car accident attorneys you deserve to have on your side. Contact our office at (713) 714-4843 to schedule your free consultation today.

Keeping Safe on the Road This Spring Break

Lapeze & Johns