With the holiday season in full swing, you and your family might be spending a lot of time on the road. Between parades, parties for your kids, holiday shopping, and holiday celebrations, you are probably running around trying to get from one place to another and fit everything in. This time of the year can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful. When you are under pressure, you might not always make the smartest choices on the road. This can lead to unfortunate circumstances such as accidents or traffic tickets. Don’t let the holidays make you crazy! Continue to drive safely and avoid a run-in with the law with these tips.
Stay Calm
Driving near the holidays or on the holidays can be a stressful experience. Store parking lots are mobbed with people, there’s traffic everywhere, and the people around you might be making poor choices on the road. From weaving in and out of lanes unexpectedly to driving unreasonably slowly, other drivers around you might be doing frustrating things. Try not to let their actions affect the way that you drive. You don’t want to make a bad choice on the road just because someone else is driving in an inappropriate way.
Stay Focused
Focusing on the road is an essential part of driving well. Try not to get distracted by your kids in the car, the fact that you are running late, or the things that you need to get done. When we lose focus on the road, it invites a greater possibility for error, so try to take one thing at a time and stay focused on the road.
Avoid Rushing
When we rush, we tend to speed. This could result in a speeding ticket, which could really put a damper on the holidays. Even if you are running late or trying to fit a lot of things into your afternoon, stay focused and avoid driving over the speed limit.
Watch Out For Police Officers And Speeding Traps
Police officers are out in full force during the holidays. This is because they know that the roads can get dangerous with poor weather conditions and people rushing to and from festivities. If you are going to drive on the holidays, make sure that you do not have too much to drink and keep an eye out for police cars.
Don’t Drink And Drive
As I mentioned above, police officers will be looking for drivers who are not following the rules near the holidays. If you drank alcohol and you get pulled over for speeding or some other infraction, this can end poorly for you. Make sure that you do not drink too much at a holiday party, and if you do end up drinking a lot, have someone else drive you home. This can avoid a driving under the influence (DUI) charge.
Be aware of the weather conditions. Ice and snow can make driving difficult. Prepare for the winter weather by making sure that your car’s brakes and tires are ready for snowy weather and by driving cautiously.
These are just a few ways in which you can prevent a traffic ticket during the holiday season. If you are facing a traffic ticket, you can contact my office for assistance.