Safe Driving Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer travel season, and motorists are taking to the road in record numbers this year. AAA estimates 38.4 million people, including 1.3 million Michiganders, are driving more than 50 miles from home this weekend. This is the highest number of travelers in more than 20 years as well as 4 percent more than last year. However, Memorial Day weekend is also one of the deadliest due to the unusually high volume of cars on the road and the propensity for reckless behaviors such as drinking, speeding and distracted driving.

Here is a guide to making your trip safer and smoother. And, if you or a loved one is injured in a crash, an experienced Michigan car accident attorney will help you win the compensation you deserve.

WHEN ARE THE BEST TIMES TO DRIVE DURING MEMORIAL WEEKEND?

If you are traveling by car this weekend, leaving early in the day on Thursday or Friday helps avoid rush hour congestion. On Sunday and Monday, driving home in the morning or evening allows you to bypass peak afternoon traffic.

Here are the best and worst times to travel by car during Memorial Day weekend according to transportation data provider INRIX:

Recommended reading: Is It Important to Obtain a Police Report After a Michigan Car Accident?

AVOID DANGEROUS DISTRACTIONS

The number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from accidents caused by distracted drivers has been steadily growing, despite Michigan’s recent law banning the use of hand-held cell phones. Anything that takes your hands, eyes or mind off the road is considered a distraction, and visual-manual activities, such as texting, are the most dangerous. In fact, taking your eyes and attention off the road for five seconds at 55 mph is comparable to driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded. In addition, the brain remains distracted for 27 seconds after interruptions such as texting using voice commands, making or answering a call or changing a radio station. Drivers who violate the hand-held cell phone ban not only endanger themselves and others, they may be subject to fines and other penalties if stopped by a police officer. Here are some other activities that can cause a driver to become distracted:

• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming, shaving or putting on makeup
• Reading, including maps
• Programming a navigation system
• Changing the radio station
• Loud music played by themselves or passengers
• Attending to children
• Bending down to retrieve an object from the floor

Recommended reading: New Michigan Law Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phones

BUCKLE UP FOR SAFETY

Multiple traffic safety studies show seat belts and car seats save lives and help prevent serious injuries. In Michigan, drivers, front-seat passengers and anyone 15 or younger (in any seat position) must wear a seat belt. Children four and under must ride in the back seat whenever possible. And, all children under eight years old or less than 4’9” tall should use a car seat or booster seat sized in accordance with their height, age and weight.

Recommended reading: Michigan’s Seat Belt Crisis: Lingering Pandemic Habits Put Motorists at Risk

DOES MY MICHIGAN NO-FAULT INSURANCE COVER OUT-OF-STATE ACCIDENTS?

Generally, yes. According to Michigan law (MCL 500.3111), victims are eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits for accidents within the United States, its territories and possessions or Canada when the victim is:

• The named insured person under a Michigan No-Fault policy
• The spouse of a named insured person
• A relative living in the same household
• An occupant of a vehicle involved in the accident as long as:
  • The victim resides in Michigan, or
  • The owner or registrant of the vehicle is covered under a Michigan No-Fault policy

Therefore, an out-of-state resident who is injured while driving or riding in a vehicle insured by a Michigan No-Fault policy may be entitled to PIP benefits under the policy covering the vehicle.

Recommended reading: Is It Important to Obtain a Police Report After a Michigan Car Accident?

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR A SAFER, MORE ENJOYABLE TRIP

• Plan your route and program the navigation system before leaving home
• Allow extra time to reach your destination
• Stay calm when encountering traffic back-ups and unexpected detours
• Use a navigation app that includes up-to-date traffic and road conditions, such as Waze
• Stop when you are tired or need a break
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Drive at the posted speed limit or slower when weather or road conditions are hazardous

Recommended reading: Do You Need A Lawyer For A Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault?

OUR EXPERIENCED MICHIGAN CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS FIGHT TO WIN THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE

While we wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend, even the most cautious driver can be involved in an accident. If you or a loved one is injured in a crash, we can help. Our experienced car accident lawyers have the skills, knowledge and resources to build a winning case that results in a successful financial outcome for you and your family. Car accident law is complicated, but finding the right Michigan car accident attorney is simple. Don’t let the legal clock run out. Start your case today by clicking on the link below or calling 1-800-CALL-SAM for a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our experienced legal team.