Are You Watching Out for Holiday Traffic?

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on December 23, 2016

While the holiday season typically brings plenty of good times with friends and family, it also means more cars on the road and a lot of drivers who are tired. Driving at any time of year can be potentially hazardous, but holiday traffic in the Phoenix area presents some unusual situations to watch out for and predict. Despite the lack of snow and ice that many other parts of the country experience, there can also be treacherous winter weather to contend with.

Holiday traffic is quite hazardous for a number of reasons, but careful, defensive driving can help you avoid many dangerous situations. Not only are there a lot of drivers on the roads around the holidays, but many of them may not be as alert or careful as normal. Additional traffic can come from students home for the holidays, residents of other states fleeing the ice and snow for the warmer climate of Arizona, and people out buying gifts or running errands related to the holidays. This can make roads more congested than usual, which often results in commutes taking longer, so give yourself a little extra time to get where you are going.

The holidays can be stressful and difficult for many people, which often manifests while driving. Someone who has spent hours shopping in a crowded mall may not have the attention and patience usually displayed while driving on busy freeways and city streets. It is a good idea to be more mindful of other drivers and what they are doing during the holidays; such defensive driving can help you avoid a collision.

Even though we do not have to deal with snow and ice like drivers in other parts of the country, there are still some weather hazards to consider around Phoenix. Dust from the summer that remains on roads can create slippery situations, especially if there is rain to mix with it. Even clean streets can become slippery from rain, and flashfloods following a dry summer can be especially dangerous. If you travel north toward Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, be aware of the potential for extreme cold including snow and icy roads.

All of the extra traffic on roads during the holidays presents more opportunities for accidents, even if you are careful. If you or someone you know has been injured in a collision that was another driver’s fault, then call Breyer Law Offices, P.C. today at (602) 457-6222. Talk to the Husband and Wife Law Team before signing any insurance documents or agreements to make sure your rights are protected.