Safety First, Thanksgiving Turkey Second! Gainesville and Ocala Accident Attorney Gives Advice for Safe Traveling This Holiday Weekend.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means not only heavy eating, but heavy travel as well. It is estimated that nearly 50 million people travel on Thanksgiving weekend; 86% of which drive. The National Safety Commission states that Thanksgiving is not only the biggest travel weekend of the year, but also the deadliest for motorists.

Last December, the Florida Highway Patrol released its citation statistics for 2010's Thanksgiving weekend. They are as follows:

• Over 12,000 citations;
• Assisted almost 4,000 motorists;
• 121 DUI arrests;
• Over 5,000 speeding citations;
• Over 1,400 citations for failure to buckle up;
• 23 fatalities (38 according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Statistics.)

Although this paints a grim picture on top of such a normally fun holiday weekend, these statistics shed some light on the importance of driver safety, not only throughout the upcoming weekend, but in general as well. As a local accident attorney, I recommend following these tips on how you can stay safe on the roads this holiday weekend:

• First and Foremost, Buckle-up! - According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Seat belts are the most effective safety feature ever invented and have helped save thousands of lives. Sadly, one in five Americans fail to regularly wear a seat belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle."  Plus, it is the law in Florida! 
• Avoid Drowsy Driving - According to a study done by AAA, 10% of drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year. Driving drowsy can have some of the same effects as driving under the influence.   I am planning a long road trip, what should I know about drowsy driving? 
• Allow Ample Time - Leave early when driving to your destination. Being pressed for time will only cause a sense of necessity to rush, which leads to speeding and irresponsible driving, which could lead to tragedy. Gainesville, Florida accident attorney talks about the high cost of speeding.  
• Be a Patient Driver - Whether stuck in traffic or driving on the open road, be sure to be a defensive/patient driver. Accidents can occur in traffic jams, so even when stuck, be aware of all surroundings. Driving While Stressed - A Form of Distracted Driving. Ocala Accident Attorney Explains.  
• More Tips - 5 Simple things you can do to make your holiday road trip safe.

I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!