New Years Safety

Celebrating the New Year brings many fun festivities with friends and family. However, while this time of the year is exciting, it is important to continue to prioritize safety. According to the American Safety Council (ASC), New Years Day is the most hazardous day of the year for pedestrians, and over 50% of accidents on New Years Day involve high blood alcohol concentration. In efforts to limit the number of incidents on New Years, the ASC has put together a list of New Years Eve Safety Tips for celebrants to follow. Several suggestions are listed below.

- Plan your travel options ahead of time.

- Use public transportation or cabs both to and from your destination so you can avoid leaving your car in a strange place overnight.

- If you must leave your car, park in a populated, well-lit area. Roll up windows, lock all doors and ensure all valuables are left at home or secured out of sight.

- Provide guests a place to stay overnight should they need to.

- Research numbers for local hospitals and authorities and have them ready in the case of an accident.

- Stay on pedestrian paths and try to remain in well-lit areas.

Remember, if you find yourself in a car accident, follow these steps:

1. If possible, move the vehicle and passengers to a safe location and turn your car hazards on.

2. Call the police.

3. Gather Information: Obtain contact information of the other driver and license plate of involved vehicle(s) if any. Do not get out of your vehicle unless the area is clear, and you can do safely.

4. If you hit a deer, do not approach it. A startled or injured deer can be very dangerous.

5. If possible, obtain photos and videos of the accident scene and document any damage to the vehicles involved.

6. Do not discuss the details of the accident with anyone but the investigating police officer.

7. Report all auto accidents to us regardless of if you have collision coverage or not. Others may make a claim against you for property damage or bodily injury at the time of loss or in the future. It’s best to secure all facts at the time of the accident by us for your protection.

8. To report your claim or request emergency road service, call: (877-324-6764) this is a 24-hour claims number.

We wish you a Happy New Year! Please reach out to our agency if you have any questions.