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There tends to be an increase in auto accidents during the holiday season. The holidays come at the beginning of winter when ice and snow are just beginning to coat the roads. Additionally, more people are out celebrating the holidays and sometimes, alcohol intoxication is involved too. These winter driving tips will keep you safe and reduce your chances of an auto accident.

Prepare your vehicle for winter driving
Before winter arrives in full force, make sure your vehicle is winter prepared. This means changing out the tires for winter tires or rotating your current tires for better treading. Replace your windshield wiper for better visibility during snowstorms. Make sure you have an emergency preparedness kit in your trunk in the event of an auto accident. The kit should include basic first aid supplies and road lights. These lights will inform other drivers to be cautious, as you are currently stranded on the side of the road.

Keep legal drink limits in mind
The holiday season can be stressful and it can be tempting to relieve this stress with an extra holiday drink. As you plan and attend your upcoming holiday parties, make sure you are keeping legal drink limits in mind at all times. Eat plenty of food, know your limit, and know when you are over the legal limit. Sometimes, it is best to just find alternative transportation home, if you are unsure of your current alcohol level. Each day, people drive drunk almost 300,000 times, but fewer than 4,000 are arrested. However, if you are arrested for drinking and driving, the consequences are severe. You could face high fines, have to hire a criminal defense or DUI attorney, and you could face jail time.

Avoid driving completely
If possible, try to avoid driving at all during this busy holiday season. Even if you are a good about winter driving or avoiding drinking and driving, this is not always the case for other drivers. If you are involved in a car accident as the victim, you could still be subject to costly repairs and the hiring of a car accident lawyer. Even if your car accident lawyer gets you compensation for these things, nothing can take away the emotional impact of a car accident.

An average drunk driver has driven 80 times before the first arrest. Plan holiday parties at your house or use public transportation, when possible. New Years is perhaps the most common drinking and driving date. Arrange for guests to celebrate your house and then encourage them to spend the night. You could also book a holiday party at a local hotel, decreasing the urge to drive for all attending guests.

Know what to do in the event of an auto accident
In the event that you are involved in an auto accident, it is important that you know how to handle it. Auto accidents can be overwhelming and scary and because of this, many drivers do not take the appropriate steps following an accident. Always call the police and file a police report. Move both vehicles involved in the accident if they are located in a dangerous spot. Contact your insurance provider immediately. Finally, contact a car accident lawyer, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Car accident lawyers are an important part of ensuring that just compensation is paid.

There are approximately 6 million car accidents in the U.S. every year. There will also be an increase in car accidents in the coming months. Winter driving conditions paired with holiday celebrations equals a dangerous driving situation. Protect yourself by making alternative transportation plans, avoiding the roads altogether, and knowing your legal limits.