Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to U.S.A. Today 95 million Americans will drive over the holidays. Yet, the holiday season is also a dangerous time to be on the road. Approximately 27,900 Americans will be injured during holiday travel and another 250 will be involved in fatal accidents. One of the major contributions to these injuries and deaths is drinking and driving. During the New Year’s celebrations, many people choose to drink. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to drink responsibly. When individuals get behind the wheel and drive drunk, they endanger not only themselves, but innocent drivers on the road. Please don’t drink and drive this holiday season.
That said, another factor leading to holiday accidents is the sheer increase in traffic on the road. More drivers means a greater risk of crashes. One way to drive more safely over the holiday is to avoid bottlenecks, to drive during the day when everyone is more alert, and to plan your drive so that weather is good. But where are the worst traffic jams more likely to occur?
According to Wired, one company researched the volume of traffic on America’s roads to determine the locations where one might find the worst bottlenecks. So what roads should you avoid at all costs this holiday season? According to Wired, I-95 near the D.C. metro area, around U.S. 17 and U.S.1, exit 126 is the worst on the east coast for holiday traffic jams. Second and third on the list are parts of the New York City metro area. If you’re in the south, the worst road for holiday travel is U.S. 1 in the keys around South Florida, but the Dallas, Texas metro area comes in second, third, and fourth, with the Miami metro area, around the keys coming in fifth. In the Midwest, Chicago takes all five top ranks for worst congestion and traffic jams, with I-94 at I-43 near exit 310 taking the lead. On the west—you guessed it—Los Angeles gets the crown for holiday gridlock with I-5 being the worst.
It should be noted that these traffic jams reflect last year’s statistics. If there was road work or a bad accident, this could affect the data. This year might have its own unique traffic jam hotspots to avoid. So, what’s your best bet for driving this holiday? Check road conditions before you leave home. Double check online to find the fastest route. And plan ahead. Don’t get distracted by maps on your phone. Know your route before you get behind the wheel. Distracted driving is quickly becoming one of the leading causes of crashes.
Finally, if you or a loved one is involved in a car accident over the holidays, protect yourself. Document the accident and consider contacting a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino are auto accident attorneys who assist victims of car crashes. Visit our website to learn more about your possible right to recovery after an accident https://martinmontilino.com/.