The first big holiday of the summer is upon us, and a long holiday weekend like Memorial Day weekend often leads to many families hitting the road for a fun road trip. But at Phillips Law Group, we know all too well what can go wrong on the road, and we wanted to offer just a few Memorial Day road trip safety tips you should keep in mind if you’ve got a plan that involves driving this weekend.
“Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the busiest driving periods of the year in Arizona,” according to The Arizona Republic/AZ Central. The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends any drivers traveling this weekend should get an early start and give themselves extra time to get to where they’re going, “especially during peak travel periods.”
“Motorists should be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles, or other incidents such as wildfires,” the AZDOT noted.
And when you do hit the road, even if traffic slows down your journey, avoid distractions inside your vehicle. Never text and drive, and be aware that not everyone on the road may be acting as diligently as you are. Stay aware, even during stop-and-go traffic.
As always, if you’re traveling this Memorial Day weekend, make sure you’re buckled up before you even leave your driveway or parking lot.
If you’re hitting the road with your family, make sure that your kids are in suitable child safety seats or booster seats. Those details can make all the difference in an accident, and you don’t want to find out too late that the safety measures you had in place for your children weren’t appropriate or enough.
Let’s be realistic: a lot of partying happens over Memorial Weekend, and holiday weekends in general.
If you are going to be at a party over the long weekend, don’t ever drink and drive. You should establish a designated driver before you head to a gathering, plan not to drink at all, plan to stay over wherever you’ll be drinking, or have a plan to call an Uber, Lyft, or another car service to get you – and everyone else on the road – home safely.
In addition to general road trip safety tips that involve actively driving, you should check the vehicle you plan to use for safety, too. Before you head out for whatever fun weekend plans you may have, be sure to inspect your vehicle and check that your tires are properly inflated and functioning correctly.
After you’ve checked your tire pressure, look for any signs of trouble with the engine or other components of your car. Plus, prior to long drives, fill up your gas tank! You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for a ride or for a service to come and assist you.
But just in case you do end up with car trouble, make sure you pack an emergency kit for your road trip. It should include snacks, water, blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a charger for your cellphone, a small tool kit, and anything your family might need like diapers.
Unfortunately, not everyone out and about this Memorial Weekend will be as mindful of safety. You should be ready to deal with distracted drivers, inexperienced drivers, people who haven’t reviewed basic maintenance on their cars, and, unfortunately, people who choose to drink and drive.
Number one on our list of road trip safety tips we can offer is to be sure you’re entirely focused on your driving during your journey. Your commitment to safety could make all the difference to your family and to the other drivers you’re sharing the road with this holiday.
If you or someone that you love is injured in a car accident over Memorial Day weekend, or at any other time of the year, call Phillips Law Group for help.
Our team of dedicated attorneys is committed to assisting victims of accidents and other negligence. Phillips Law can offer a free, no-obligation evaluation to discuss whatever your situation may be. We work on contingency and don’t get paid unless we recover money for you.
We hope you’ll be safe this holiday weekend, but if you do find you need our assistance, contact us to see how we can help you or your loved ones. Give us a call or fill out the form on this page to learn more.
On behalf of everyone at Phillips Law Group, we hope you have a good Memorial Day weekend as we all gather together in celebration and remembrance of our fallen service members.
