4th of July Driving Safety Tips Tampa Bay

Americans love to celebrate the Fourth of July with family, friends, food, and fireworks, but all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation’s roads. The fact is that this iconic American holiday is also one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to driving accidents on the road. Below are some tips that can help you keep yourself and your family safe this Independence Day.

10 Driving Safety Tips for the 4th of July

1. Vehicle Maintenance

Get a tune-up; check tire tread and pressure, oil and fluid levels, working lights and windshield wipers, etc.

2. Carry Your Paperwork At All Times

Make sure you have your license, a copy of your registration, and insurance policy in your vehicle before you take off, and all of those documents need to be up-to-date. Being in an accident or getting pulled over sucks, but not having these documents with you can make it worse.

3. Check Gas Levels

This is surprisingly easy to forget. Here in Florida, we have a lot of stretches of highway that go on for miles with no gas stations, and you don’t want to get stuck in a stressful situation as avoidable as this one.

4. Check Your Rear View Visibility

It’s important that you secure all of your bags, coolers, umbrellas, chairs, luggage, and children in a secure place on or inside your vehicle, but it is just as important to make sure nothing is blocking your rear view.

5. Make Sure You’re Okay To Drive

You’ve heard it before: buzzed driving is drunk driving. In the summer, there is a heightened concern for drunk drivers on the road. Hand over those keys, or sleep it off by the pool. There are free options available to those who have had too much to drink, such as AAA’s “Tow to Go” Program. The service gives confidential rides for up to two people within a 10-mile radius. AAA will dispatch a tow truck and take the driver and the vehicle home, free of charge. The number to call is 1-855-2-TOW-2-GO (1-855-286-9246). Keep in mind that driving while tired can be just as dangerous. Take a break when feeling drowsy. Take advantage of rest stops. Drive defensively. Make 100% sure you feel alert enough to operate a vehicle.

6. Buckle Up

It’s a known fact that lives are saved every year due to individuals wearing their seatbelts properly. In the majority of accidents, seat belts save lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50 percent. Adults who live in rural areas are 10% less likely to wear seatbelts (78% usage) than adults who live in urban and suburban areas (87% usage). Also, secure your infants and children in properly fitted car seats and booster seats.

7. Anticipate Heavy Traffic

Expect plenty of traffic on the roads this weekend. Avoid tailgating and engaging in aggressive driving behaviors.

8. No Texting

It’s against Florida law, St. 316.305. Have your co-pilot be in charge of phone duty, or let the people who expect to hear from you know that you will be unavailable until you reach your destination. If you need to be available by phone, consider investing in a hands-free Bluetooth device. Additionally, if you’re using your phone for directions, consider getting a dash mount for it. You can find budget-friendly options for these products online. They cost much less than a new car or a personal injury lawsuit.

9. Do Not Stop On The Road To Watch Fireworks

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers who stop on the side of the road to watch a fireworks show create a big safety concern for everyone. Those who do stop can expect to get a ticket from the police.

10. Drive Cautiously On Rural Roads

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), more accidents occur on rural roads than in other venues.

If You Need Us Over The 4th of July Weekend We Are Ready To Help

Remember! Even the most prepared drivers will be involved in car and trucking accidents this Fourth of July. Many people aren’t sure what they should do after an accident, and oftentimes they make spur of the moment statements to police that come back to haunt them, or they fail to speak with witnesses at the scene and are unable to contact them later when issues arise.

In the event that you are injured or involved in an accident because of someone else’s negligence, please contact us so that we can protect your claim and discuss your legal options. We represent victims who are injured in all types of accident cases, including trucking, pedestrian, motorcycle, bicycle, railroad, and boating accidents.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney/client relationship.