Dangers of Distracted Driving on Holidays
Of all the cases we handle at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose, Berg & McKarski, distracted and impaired driving cases are the ones that stay with us the longest. Not because they’re the most legally complex, but because they’re almost always completely avoidable.
The holidays are supposed to be joyful. Too often, preventable accidents make them anything but.
The Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
Holiday weekends consistently see some of the highest rates of traffic fatalities of the year. The Thanksgiving period, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the Fourth of July all rank among the deadliest stretches on American roads.
Drunk driving is a major factor, but distracted driving has become an equally serious problem. Studies show that texting while driving increases crash risk by as much as 23 times. Looking at a phone for just five seconds at highway speed is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
Pedestrians and cyclists bear a disproportionate share of the risk. Holiday gatherings mean more people on foot, often at night, often in areas with heavier-than-usual traffic.
What Drivers Can Do
The good news is that distracted and impaired driving are choices, which means they’re preventable. A few habits that genuinely make a difference:
- Put your phone away before you start the car. Not on the seat, not in a cupholder. In your bag, on Do Not Disturb, in the backseat. Wherever it needs to be to stop being a temptation.
- Designate a driver before the night starts. It’s easy to underestimate how much you’ve had to drink as the evening goes on. Deciding in advance takes the guesswork out of it.
- If you’re hosting, take it seriously. Offer to call rides for guests who’ve been drinking. Keep food and non-alcoholic options available. It matters.
- Use driving apps that silence notifications while in motion. Most smartphones have a built-in driving mode that takes thirty seconds to set up.
What to Do If A Distracted Driver Injures You
If a distracted or impaired driver hits you or someone you love, the steps you take immediately afterward matter.
Call 911 and get a police report filed. Make sure the officer notes any signs of impairment or phone use. Get witness names and contact information if you can. Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and any injuries. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay, because adrenaline masks a lot.
Distracted and drunk driving cases often involve insurance companies that move quickly to minimize payouts. Having Cohen, Feeley, Altemose, Berg & McKarsk in your corner, who knows how these cases work, can make a significant difference in the outcome.
The holidays should be a time to be present with the people you love. Help keep them that way for yourself and for everyone else on the road.