South Florida is an oasis for second-home buyers, short-term leasing, and empty nesters. More notably, it’s become the go-to destination for northerners wanting to escape winter weather. With shopping complexes, parks, and beautiful beaches within minutes apart, there are no limits on entertainment. You can’t blame anyone who’d want to trade in their winter gear for year round sunshine, which is exactly why Florida ranks as one of the top places to move.
According to US census data, the migration to Florida is nearly double the national average of other states. Florida’s population grew by 2.7 million in the last decade and remains one of the leading landing places for retirees. Though the holidays typically signal the start of busy season, the pandemic pushed the boundaries on this timeline. Last year we saw more visitors to our area for longer periods of time, many of which decided to take up permanent residence.
From mid-November to early summer, there are generally more cars on the road. This constitutes safer driving practices and better awareness of driver behavior. Particularly because a number of those drivers are unfamiliar with Florida highways or right of way laws in the sunshine state. For these reasons, it’s of vital importance that every Florida driver, whether native or visiting, stay mindful of the increased car accident risks during the season.
Contributing factors of holiday season car accident risks
Research performed by the NHTSA confirms there are more car accident fatalities during the holidays versus the non-holiday season. This data, along with Florida’s already high accident statistics, should heighten your perception of the car accident risks during this time.
Here are the precautions to look out for as residents and visitors:
Traffic
Florida drivers know it doesn’t take much for I-95 to back up during a 9-5 work commute. Just add holiday season to the mix and your chance for collision increases. Traffic is more prevalent during this time because more people are running errands and taking trips to visit friends and family. The busier the roadways, the more cautious you need to be.
Drunk driving
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle statistics, there were 4,984 alcohol confirmed crashes in 2019. Although the holidays give us plenty of reason to celebrate, you should not risk your own life or the lives of others in turn. With New Year’s Eve being one of the booziest holidays out there, it’s imperative for drivers to keep watch for negligent driving and potential hazards on the road.
Distracted driving
There’s a reason the holiday season gets a rep for being stressful. The calendar events and gift buying can equate to impatient or distracted driving at this time. Distracted driving involves any visual, physical, or cognitive diversion that encourages poor driving habits. If your mind is completely engrossed on your to-do list instead of the road ahead, you could easily fall victim to a car accident. That being said, don’t let the excitement of the holiday season potentially risk the safety of you and your family.
Visiting drivers
In South Florida, it’s almost routine to see license plates from various states across the U.S. Although sharing the road isn’t always easy, with so many visitors around, you have to take extra precautions during the holiday season. One person trying to find their way can lead to an accident within minutes. In fact, there were a total of 48,537 distracted driving crashes in Florida last year.
Skip out on car maintenance
Holiday expenses urge a number of drivers to overlook regular car maintenance. This spells disaster for some drivers, especially those experiencing brake or tire issues. If something goes wrong, you could be the at-fault driver of a car accident this holiday season. Therefore, don’t wait until the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has passed. Keep your car in excellent condition so you can safely get to and from holiday festivities.
If you experience a holiday season car accident, don’t wait to file a claim
With more drivers out and about, the odds of an accident increase. Having this knowledge, it is important for South Florida drivers to proceed cautiously and stay mindful of distracted driving during the holiday season. Should an accident occur, it’s critical to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Even more so if you are unfamiliar with Florida accident laws and what it entails to file a claim.
Porcaro Law Group of Delray Beach, Florida offers just that. We work tirelessly to maximize your personal injury settlement and make sure all who are injured receive proper compensation. We offer free consultations to discuss your accident and will get the ball rolling on filing your claim.
Contact us today to get started!
