Are You Prepared for Memorial Day Weekend Traffic?

With gas prices at their lowest in 11 years, Memorial Day weekend traffic is expected to reach numbers not seen since 2005. AAA is estimating more than 34 million Americans will take to the roads during the holiday weekend—up 2.1% from last year.

The increase in road trippers can be attributed to the low price of gas, and a strengthening labor market contributing to rising incomes. Unfortunately, more people on the road means increased odds of getting into a crash. AAA anticipates rescuing more than 350,000 motorists during the long weekend. If you want to avoid being one of them, there are several safety precautions you can take to ensure your car’s safety, as well as some safe driving practices you can employ once you’re on the road.

Here are 10 tips for staying safe on the road this Memorial Day weekend:

  1. Have a basic safety check done on your vehicle.
  2. Check your tire pressure before hitting the road. Don’t forget to make sure there’s air in the spare as well.
  3. Don’t overload your vehicle. Not only will lightening your load get you better gas mileage, it’ll also improve your handling and braking distance.
  4. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. You’ll want to include a flashlight, jumper cables, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water and some nonperishable foods.
  5. Always buckle up. Failure to wear a seatbelt was an issue in 48% of auto accidents in 2014.
  6. Don’t drive under the influence. Alcohol-related crashes account for 44% of traffic fatalities during Memorial Day weekend.
  7. Put away phones and other distractions. Distracted driving accounts for more than 3,000 fatalities every year.
  8. Allot extra time to get to your destination, as your route will undoubtedly include some amount of traffic.
  9. Stay calm. There’s bound to be some traffic on the way to your destination, so it’s important to avoid getting impatient and acting out in road rage.
  10. Stay home. If you’re worried about the increased traffic this Memorial Day weekend, a solution might be just to avoid it altogether. There are plenty of nice summer weekends ahead that don’t include the added dangers of getting on the road during one of the busiest weekends of the year.

“If your weekend plans include travel on the busy roadways, please take the right precautions so you don’t end up in an accident,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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