Please drive safely…road traffic accidents increase during this time of the year..
Given the joy and excitement we all feel over Christmas, the festive period is the one of the most dangerous times on the road for everyone; drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. To give you tips on how to protect yourself, your loved ones and others from being involved in road traffic accidents this year and during the festive period, we have complied a list of the most common reasons for accidents involving vehicles on the road:
Alcohol and driving
The odds of being in a car accident involving a drunk driver increase when Christmas is just around the corner. Recent statistics (from the UK Department of Transport) reveal that there is a 9% increase in the number of seriously injured casualties caused by drunk driving, from 1,070 in 2014 to 1,170 in 2015.
During the festive season, people tend to want to relax and celebrate, which usually involves alcohol. People often think that driving after a few drinks will cause no harm, especially if they’re not caught, but drinking even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect driving abilities and increase the chances of causing a road traffic accident that may cause severe injuries and losses to an innocent person. Just don’t drink and drive!
Increased number of vehicles on the roads
Whether you are going Christmas shopping, visiting family and friends, going away for the weekend; they all require travel. The combination of bad weather and having somewhere to be encourages people to take to the roads in their own vehicles. Often people rushing means driving at increased speed as well the increase in traffic on the road. All of this means an increased probability in road traffic accidents.
Poor vehicle maintenance
During the winter months, insurance companies give more car crash compensation payouts to people who have been involved in non-fault road traffic accidents, where the driver responsible might have avoided getting their car serviced. Evading car maintenance in the attempt to save money for the season is a bad idea if you want to prevent being unable to drive your car after a road traffic accident that leaves you needing a replacement car, or worse.
Stress and lack of concentration
Stress can lead to many things, but the stresses that come with Christmas will often steal the attention of a driver, resulting in them driving dangerously. It is often that driver incompetence causes a car accident with another person who was most likely devoting their full attention to the roads.
Public Transport Increased Use
Generally, travelling by bus or coach is a popular and cheaper form of transport. Similar to road traffic accidents, the more buses and coaches on the road means a higher chance of an accident occurring, especially during the festive period.
More people travel over the holidays, be it for shopping trips or festive activities in other places, and other forms of transport other than your own vehicle mean making your journey easier, without the hassle of parking and dealing with traffic. There are many ways you can be injured when travelling on public transport; the most obvious being if the vehicle is involved in a collision.
Whether it was the weather conditions, driver incompetence, or another motorist on the road that caused your accident, you may still be able to make an accident injury claim.
How Litigaid Law can help
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault and you have sustained an injury and would like to discuss the possibility of starting the claims process with a qualified legal claims specialist, give us a call today.
