The Chicago injury attorneys and staff at Abels & Annes wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend and remind you to practice the safe driving habits that will reduce your risk of being involved in a Chicago car accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 354 fatal accidents occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday last year.In Illinois, Thanksgiving’s 12 fatal accidents was second only to Memorial Day’s 17, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Last year, 12 motorists were killed and more than 800 were seriously injured in Illinois car accidents over the Thanksgiving weekend.
The Chicago Tribune reports that more than 2.1 million Illinois motorists are expected to hit the roads through the Holiday. By comparison, only 87,000 are expected to fly.
Overall, AAA expects travel to increase by 4.3 million travelers, or 11.4 percent nationwide.
“We do see this as a reflection on the modestly improving economy, but it should be noted that we’re not out of the woods yet,” AAA spokeswoman Beth Mosher told the Tribune. “The 4.3 million increase in total travelers over last year is less than half of the volume lost from 2007 through 2009.”
The following Illinois safe travel tips are adapted from information published by USA Today.
-Make sure your car is in good repair and has been properly serviced.
-Allow for plenty of time to reach your destination.
-Take a break every two hours to remain alert while driving.
-Hit the road by noon Wednesday to avoid gridlock. Expect heavier than normal traffic on Sunday.
The Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.