Drive Safely this Holiday Season

Personal Injury Attorney Representing Holiday Drivers in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and throughout Western New York

Drive Safely this Holiday Season

During the holiday season, the streets are crowded with people and traffic in Buffalo and the neighboring suburbs can be a nightmare. While some of the frustrations you experience as a driver are weather-related, others are related to the increase in traffic caused by holiday shoppers. During this time of year, the potential for heavy traffic and bad weather also brings a greater risk for car accidents.

According to the USA Today , the National Safety Council has determined that the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (including Black Friday), Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day are among the most dangerous holidays for travelers.

Although drinking plays a role in many motor vehicle accidents around the holidays, distracted driving , more vehicles on the road, and frantic holiday shopping can also turn a quick trip into a potential disaster.

Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

The following are a few reminders to enhance our safety on the road during the holidays:

 1. Drinking and Driving .

  As we know, drinking alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgment - the essential skills needed to drive a car safely. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the impairment. Take a cab, call for a ride, or have a designated sober driver.

Walking home intoxicated is not a safe alternative to drinking and driving. Numerous pedestrian accidents occur during the holidays as well. The same impairment of your motor skills and judgment that makes drunk driving dangerous can make walking while intoxicated dangerous as well.

 2. Slow down .

  Allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

 3. If drowsy, take a nap .

  If you are planning to visit out-of-town or out-of-state family or friends during the holidays, make sure you map out a safe trip. Don’t over-extend yourself and try to drive too long of a distance at once. Take a break when feeling drowsy. Take advantage of rest stops. Drive defensively.

 4. Texting and Driving is as dangerous as Drinking and Driving.

  When you text, you take your eyes off the road. Even talking on the phone can be distracting. You can only do one well. Program your GPS prior to leaving or while stopped, never while you’re driving. Maybe ask your passenger to change the music. It only takes a moment to negatively impact your life and the lives of others.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, our firm is here to help. As one of Buffalo’s top-rated personal injury attorneys, Craig Small, is committed to providing an exceptional level of professionalism with the personalized attention you deserve.

Call the Small Law Firm for a free consultation at 716-847-2600 or Contact Us TODAY!

5 RIDE FACTS: Here’s what you need to know:

The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has opened registration for the 2024 EA2EVL Fondo. Over the last three years this ride has raised $150,000 to continue to open, build, improve and maintain the 27-mile ECRT Trail that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. The trail association is making so much progress because of YOUR SUPPORT!

Small Law Firm is a Safety Sponsor of this event!

#1 - Date: This year, the 42-mile charity bike ride will be held on Saturday, October 5th.

#2 - Same Route: How could you forget! The fondo—or non-competitive bike ride—starts at 42 North Brewing in East Aurora and goes down Route 240, heading west on Rt 242 into Ellicottville.

#3 - Party On: EA2EVL ends with a celebration—music, food, drinks—at the Holiday Valley Resort.

#4 - Fundraising Awards: Your registration gets you into the event, access to our course and rest stop amenities. We’re asking each rider to fundraise for the ECRT Trail: A $100 donation earns you an event t-shirt and tickets for food/drink at the party.If you raise $500 or more, you get an EA2EVL event jersey, plus all of the above. Our top fundraiser gets all of the above PLUS gets to wear the yellow jersey and a $500 gift certificate from Tom's Pro Bike!!

#5 - Register Today: Sign up today, raise some money for ECRT, and enjoy the party and a great fall ride!

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