The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year to be driving on the road. In addition to the dangers caused by the cold winter weather, drivers are often more reckless as well, endangering themselves and everyone else on the road. Here are five road dangers you should watch out for during the holidays: 

Slippery roads: The biggest danger that every driver must deal with during the winter is the weather, or more specifically, what the weather does to the road. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain can all make the ground incredibly icy, making it difficult to maintain traction and increasing the likelihood that a driver will lose control of their vehicle. It can also make it much harder to stop or maneuver out of the way of other vehicles or pedestrians, making accidents much more likely.

Low visibility: The holidays are also the time of year when more people are driving when it is dark outside, thanks to the diminished hours of daylight. This means that drivers will have a harder time seeing pedestrians and other vehicles, and may not notice them in time to stop them. This can be compounded by snowstorms, fog, and other issues that impair visibility and increase the risks of an accident.

Poorly maintained vehicle: When motor vehicles are well-maintained, they have a much better chance of being able to handle the winter than they otherwise would. Worn-down tires can be problematic at the best of times, much less when they hit an icy patch on the road, and a poorly maintained engine is more likely to stall from the cold. In addition, cold weather can cause tires to become underinflated and drain a car battery more quickly than most people realize, increasing the risk of sudden mechanical failures.

Exhausted drivers: People are also more likely to drive while sleep-deprived during the winter, thanks in part to the change from Daylight Savings Time. This shift in people’s schedules, combined with the pressures many people feel during the holidays, means they are often more exhausted behind the wheel than they would normally be. When people drive tired, they are slower to react than normal and more likely to drive recklessly, increasing the risk of an accident

Drunk drivers:  For many people, the holiday season means celebrating, and in particular celebrating with copious amounts of alcohol. While many people are responsible enough not to drink and drive, there are a few who are not. When intoxicated drivers get behind the wheel, they are a danger to themselves and everyone else on the road, dramatically increasing the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

The personal injury attorneys at Georgaklis & Mallas, PLLC are experienced in representing clients who have been seriously injured, and the surviving family members of those who have been fatally injured, as the result of serious accidents. The firm’s accomplished personal injury lawyers strive to secure full and fair compensation for their injured clients. With law offices conveniently located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, their personal injury lawyers can vigorously represent clients throughout the metropolitan area, including in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens, and New Jersey. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please call (718) 238-2400 or fill out our contact form.