Many of us are eager to relax and celebrate with loved ones this holiday season. Our calendars may already be full of parties, family dinners, shopping trips and vacations. But as we head out to celebrate or tackle our shopping lists, it is crucial that we stay focused on staying safe when we get behind the wheel.
During the holiday season, there are generally more people on the road which means that there may be more car accidents. Drivers can be distracted, stressed out, drunk or very tired during this time of year and this can put the many other motorists sharing the road with them in serious danger. In order to reduce the risk of car accidents in and around Atlanta, the Georgia State Patrol has recently announced that they will be increasing enforcement of traffic laws through the end of the month.
These types of crackdowns are common during the holidays. More officers are put on patrol with a focus on citing drivers for unsafe behaviors. They will often stop drivers who are not wearing their seat belts or are exhibiting signs that they are distracted. Drivers who are speeding, swerving or driving aggressively could also be stopped during periods of increased enforcement.
These efforts are put into action in order to prevent drivers from causing an accident and ruining the holidays for a victim and his or her family. A person who is injured in a crash can end up spending time in the hospital instead of with loved ones, worrying about medical bills, lost wages and other unexpected costs at a time of year that can already be stressful enough. In order to avoid this, drivers across the state should remember to drive safely, buckle up and make responsible decisions behind the wheel.
Source: LaGrange Daily News, “GSP on high enforcement for Thanksgiving weekend,” Andy Simmons, Nov. 25, 2013
