16 Safety Tips for the December 2023 - January 2024 Holiday Season
December 8, 2023 | Category: Automobile Accidents, DUI Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents | Share
Florida is in the top 5 of the most dangerous states for driving during the upcoming holidays. Even though winter weather occurs in many northern states, they are the safest for holiday drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is likely because the roads in Florida are busier during the holidays than the roads in many northern states.
"We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. would like to share some safety tips from the FLHSMV and the Florida Sheriff’s Association so you and your loved ones may enjoy a safe and happy holiday season,” said Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney Randall Spivey.
General Safety Driving Tips from The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV)
The FLHSMV urges everyone to follow these general driving tips to ensure they are safe during the 2023 holiday season:
- Never drive impaired. Celebrate responsibly and do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or took drugs that cause impairment. Plan ahead and find a safe way home every time – designate a driver or use a ride service.
- Check your tires. Tires are a vehicle’s first line of defense on the road. Check your tire pressure, tread depth, and spare tire, especially before long trips. Do not overload your vehicle, it can result in premature wear and tire blowouts.
- Buckle up. A seat belt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature. Florida law requires that all drivers, all front seat passengers, and all passengers under the age of 18 wear seat belts or the appropriate child restraints. Seat belts save lives, so buckle up every trip, every time.
- Register or update your Emergency Contact Information (ECI). ECI is a secure system allowing law enforcement, nationwide, to contact designated family or friends in response to an emergency situation.
- Observe and obey all speed limits. Speed limits may change as you drive through different types of roadways, so make sure you adjust your speed accordingly. It is important to always know the speed limit on each road that you drive in Florida, and always obey all speed limits.
The Florida Sheriff’s Association Parking Lot Safety Tips
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that tens of thousands of crashes take place in parking lots and garages every year. To avoid becoming a statistic, the Florida Sheriff’s Association recommends the following:
- Stay focused and alert whenever you’re behind the wheel. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a parking lot or on a freeway, going 7 mph or 70 mph. The danger is still there.
- Don’t text and drive – ever. In addition to being very dangerous, it is against the law in Florida.
- Don’t speed and use even more caution in inclement weather.
- When finding a parking spot, don’t cut across lanes to save time. Stay in the designated lanes.
- Obey traffic signs in the parking lot and remember to use your turn signals.
The Florida Sheriff’s Association Parking Lot/Garage Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Park in well-lit areas, under a light if you can.
- Park close to your destination, such as the front of the store.
- Try to use main entrances and exits instead of side doors.
- Don’t linger.
- Don’t walk while distracted, reading on your phone, or while wearing headphones.
- Use main walkways to navigate the parking lot instead of weaving between cars.
Florida Personal Injury Law Firm Aggressively Represents Accident Victims
Should you or a loved one be injured because of the negligence of another, please contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical attention. We do not recommend that you deal with insurance companies without representation. At Spivey Law, we are available 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you.
When you contact Spivey Law, one of the first things we do is evaluate the potential of your claim, identify any of the liable parties, explain the strengths and weaknesses of your claim, and provide you with legal options. You may reach us at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com. When we take your case, we provide personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation.