If you are like most people, you are looking forward to celebrating the holidays this season. What could be more enjoyable than spending time with family, friends, and loved ones as the cold weather settles in over Virginia for another winter? As you contemplate turkey trimmings and shopping for gifts, take some time to think about how you are going to make sure that you and yours stay safe this season.

Traveling this holiday season?

If you are going to be on the road this holiday season, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Prepare for winter driving tips by ensuring the maintenance on your car is up to date – check your oil, tires, battery and windshield wipers.

Plan ahead and be flexible– map out your route ahead of time, and plan to leave early – you may need extra time in traffic or inclement weather. And if the weather is bad, postpone your trip to be safe.

Get plenty of rest before you hit the road so you aren’t too tired to drive safely.

Buckle up! Before you leave, make sure that you and everybody in your vehicle are strapped into age-appropriate restraints – seatbelts for older children and adults, and properly installed car seats for young children and babies. Keep children in the rear seat – it’s the safest place for them.

Take your time – drive the speed limit, take frequent breaks, and don’t hesitate to pull over and rest if you’re tired. If you can’t refresh yourself with a break, find a hotel or campground to spend the night. Remember that many accidents are caused by tired drivers – don’t be one of them.

Don’t be a “distracted driver”. If you need to use your cell-phone, send a text message, look up information on your navigation system, or eat then pull over. 25% of accidents are attributed to distracted drivers, and you don’t want to add to the numbers.

Don’t drink and drive. Nearly 30,000 people in Virginia were convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in 2006, and over 7,500 were injured and 374 killed in alcohol related car accidents.

Stay out of blind spots – especially the blind spots of large trucks. Give other drivers plenty of room, and change lanes with caution – use your turn signal and give plenty of warning.

Throwing a party this holiday season?

If you are hosting party over the holidays, take some steps to keep your guests safe:

Serve lots of food so people don’t drink on an empty stomach, and avoid serving too much salty food.

Have plenty of alternatives to alcohol – non-alcoholic drinks will be appreciated by the designated drivers and others at your party.

Invite compatible people to the party, so nobody feels left out and ends up drinking too much.

Mix drinks for your guests yourself or hire a bartender – if they prepare the drinks themselves, they may pour with a heavy hand and drink more than they planned.

Don’t allow minors to drink. You aren’t your child’s friend; you are their parent and mentor. Teach them to respect alcohol and the laws.

Stop serving drinks at least an hour before the end of the party to give everyone time to sober up before going home. Only time will bring sobriety – black coffee does not.

If guests have had too much to drink, take them home, call them a cab, or let them spend the night. Whatever you do, don’t let them drive. Keep in mind that you can be held responsible for an accident that your intoxicated guest might cause.

What is being done in Virginia to promote safety this holiday season?

Each year in Virginia nearly 900 people lose their lives in traffic accidents, which averages out to about 3 people every day. Sadly, so far in 2007 traffic related fatalities are up by 64 people – an increase of 7%. What is being done in Virginia to reverse this trend? According to VDOT, the most effective way to reduce accidents is to change driver behavior.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia State Police (VSP) and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have partnered on the Highway Safety Challenge, asking Virginia motorists “Are you Virginia’s next traffic fatality?” This Highway Safety Challenge aims to reduce Virginia’s highway fatalities by 100 by 2010.

Messages have been posted on VDOT Safety Rest Areas and Welcome Center restroom mirrors to get patrons to think about traffic fatalities, and to make sure they don’t become one this season.

Virginia is spreading the word on VDOT’s electronic message signs, Highway Advisory Radio network, radio advertising, 511 Virginia phone and Web service, and other materials. Motorists are being reminded to buckle up, avoid distractions, share the road, drive drug- and alcohol-free, and obey speed limits.

75% of the Virginia State Police are working Thanksgiving weekend as part of Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (Operation C.A.R.E.).

State troopers are trying to remind motorists about Virginia’s “Move Over” law (Code of Virginia 46.2-921.1) which requires that motorists move to another travel lane – and if they can’t, then to slow down when passing emergency vehicles

On November 14 this year, the local chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving kicked off their annual “Tie One On for Safety” campaign, aimed at raising awareness of drunk driving each holiday season.

DULANEY, LAUER & THOMAS, LLP

Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631

Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046

Quick Contact

Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, LLP
98 Alexandria Pike
Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186

Phone: 888-907-2631

DULANEY, LAUER &
THOMAS, LLP

Warrenton Office
98 Alexandria Pike
Suite 11
Warrenton, VA 20186
Toll Free: 888.907.2631
Local: 540.349.2631
Get Directions

Culpeper Office
209 N. West Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Toll Free: 800.741.1012
Local: 540.825.6046
Get Directions