The holiday season is a busy time for cops as they always target speeders. In 2019, law enforcement handed out over 100,000 warnings to drivers for speeding and arrested more than 700 people because of driving under the influence. Speeding gives police officers a reason to stop drivers on busy highways. If you want to avoid these situations each holiday season, you’ll need a plan before you hop into your vehicle.
Don’t drink and drive or drive while impaired
Anyone who drinks while impaired will make poor decisions on the road. If you drink and drive after a holiday party, you’ll likely speed without knowing it. Instead, call a taxi driver or designate someone to drive you home when the party is over.
Avoid distractions in the cabin
If you drive while you’re distracted, you’ll increase your chances of accidentally speeding, and this will attract traffic cops. The biggest threats are text messages as many drivers lose focus while driving when they view them on a highway. Although it only takes about five seconds to scan text messages, it’s a huge risk. According to experts, reading one text message for five seconds is like driving on a football field with your eyes closed. During this window of time, you could easily speed or cause a motor vehicle accident.
Always be prepared if you accidentally speed
In some cases, you might accidentally speed because you may not know the speed limit in a specific area. If this happens, one mistake could lead to another ticket for a second infraction, such as a safety belt or car seat issue. When you’re traveling with kids, ensure that you buckle each child in their car seat. A small child will need a correct booster seat.
Need additional tips? These safe-driving strategies can help you avoid getting a ticket during the holidays when cops are on patrol.
