TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Thanksgiving marks the start of the busiest holiday travel season, often involving visits to family and friends or the enjoyment of a relaxing vacation, which can lead to an increase in accidents on the roadways.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and statewide public safety partners remind drivers to exercise caution and prioritize road safety to ensure they arrive at their destinations alive and well.
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In the coming weeks, FHP will enhance its presence on the interstate and major highways, concentrating on speeding violations, seatbelt use, and impaired driving.
“Honestly, if you are just courteous, you are probably going to be following most of the traffic rules automatically anyway. Just remember, nowhere in the state of Florida is the speed limit faster than 70. So, that’s the most it could possibly be on the interstate.” said Lt. Jim Beauford, with FHP.
Beauford also advises drivers to check their vehicles before long trips, including tire pressure, oil, gas, and any routine maintenance, to avoid being stranded on the side of the road.
In 2022, there was an increase in crashes involving drivers impaired by drugs, alcohol, or both. However, FHP reported a decline in such incidents in 2023.
FHP noted that nearly 30% of crashes from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the following Sunday were rear-end collisions.
Additionally, almost 70% of crashes occur during the day rather than at night, often without any contributing road conditions or environmental factors. More than 10% of crashes involved sideswipes with vehicles traveling in the same direction, while over 15% were classified as hit-and-run incidents.
In total, for 2023, there were 11,000 accidents and 582 fatalities during the Thanksgiving travel period, according to FHP.
Contributing factors include drivers following too closely, sudden braking, speeding, and careless driving.
Here are five tips for staying safe and reaching your destination this holiday season.
- Never drive impaired
- Limit distractions
- Slow down; speed kills
- Plan your route
- Prepare your vehicle
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