July 4th Weekend Traffic Increase Expected, Increased SC Auto Accidents Likely

In Columbia, South Carolina, during every holiday season, travelers crowd airports and roads to see family to take off on nice vacations. AAA has released a forecast for this year’s July 4th holiday, stating that the auto club believes weekend traffic will raise 1.9%. Increased traffic can lead to increased South Carolina car accidents.

That small percentage represents an increase from 40.3 million to 41 million people traveling during the July 4th weekend – and 8 in 10 of those travelers will be on the roads leading to increased SC auto accidents.

Because July 4th falls on a Friday this year, it will be very easy to take a long weekend; consumers are more willing this year to take on credit card debt.

According to the forecast, rental car costs will stay about the same as last year, but hotel rates will be up 15%, and gas costs about 20 cents more than last year. However, airfare costs less, by about 5%.

Despite the lower airfares and higher gas prices, AAA still states that most people will travel by car, making traffic a serious problem, and increasing the risks of South Carolina car accidents and personal injuries. AAA says that most people will travel at least 50 miles away from home.

The National Safety Council said that, last year, there were 385 traffic accident deaths and 41,200 injures in the same July 4th weekend time period.

The NSC recommends that drivers during the July 4th weekend be very careful about how much they drink, avoid using their cell phones while driving, be careful of bad weather such as sudden summer thunderstorms, drive the speed limit, keep children in appropriate child safety seats, and avoid high traffic times.

AAA Offers the Following Defensive Driving Tips to Avoid a SC auto accident

Manage your time, visibility and space on the road. Leave three to four seconds of following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Reduce blind spots: adjust your side mirrors so you can no longer see the side of your car. Although it may seem awkward, it nearly eliminates blind spots in most vehicles.
Avoid internal and external distractions while operating your vehicle. Pay attention to the road in front of you and vehicles around you as opposed to the radio, other passengers, mobile devices or activity on the side of the road. Avoid eating, grooming, or applying makeup while behind the wheel.
Do not drive drowsy. Get a full nights rest before any long trips and if you feel yourself nodding off, pull into a rest area or service station and move around to wake your body up before continuing down the road. Alcohol affects your judgment, reaction time and motor skills. It is never safe to drive after consuming alcohol.
Do not text and drive.
Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol affects everyone differently and its impact can change significantly when mixed with medications. Consult your pharmacist for information on driving safely with all prescription and over-the-counter medications

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Personal Injury Cases from Distracted Driving Accidents

Whether the distraction is eating, putting on makeup, talking on a cellphone, or even just daydreaming, distracted driving can lead to an accident, causing serious personal injury or even death. If you have been injured by an accident caused by distracted driving, the South Carolina accident attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. will fight for fair compensation for your injuries. Our South Carolina car accident lawyers are prepared to fight for compensation in the courtroom and will defend your right to compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost wages and future earnings, your pain and suffering, and, in the event of a fatal car accident, even wrongful death. Contact us today for a free consultation. 803.252.4800.