Holiday Road Hazards: What Florida Drivers Need to Know This Season
The holidays should be a time for joy, celebration, and time with the people who matter most. But in Florida—especially across Northeast Florida communities like Jacksonville, Orange Park, Starke, and Palatka—the season also brings a sharp increase in car crashes. Busier roads, distracted drivers, and unpredictable weather conditions can turn a simple trip to a holiday gathering into a dangerous situation.
At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we’re not just attorneys—we’re your neighbors. And during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, we want to help keep you and your family safe on the road.
Why Holiday Crashes Spike in Florida
Even with our mild winters, December consistently sees elevated accident numbers. Here’s why:
1. Heavier Holiday Traffic
From extended work commutes to holiday shopping and family travel, our roadways—especially I-95, I-295, Blanding Blvd., US-17, and A1A—experience significant congestion. More cars mean more opportunities for collisions.
2. Distracted Driving
Texting while coordinating holiday plans, searching for directions, or managing kids in the backseat all increase distracted driving risks. Even a momentary glance away can lead to a serious crash.
3. Nighttime Visibility Issues
Shorter days mean more driving in the dark. Add rain or fog, and it becomes harder to spot pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles stopped in the roadway.
4. Impaired Driving
Unfortunately, alcohol-related crashes increase around Christmas and New Year’s. Impaired drivers put everyone on the road at risk—and these accidents are almost always preventable.
How to Stay Safe During December Travel
You can’t control what other drivers do, but you can take steps to protect yourself and your passengers.
✔ Slow Down & Increase Following Distance
Holiday traffic is unpredictable. Give yourself more time to react.
✔ Avoid Peak Shopping Traffic When Possible
Mornings and late evenings often have less congestion around retail corridors like Town Center Parkway, Blanding Blvd., and Roosevelt Blvd.
✔ Keep Your Lights, Tires & Wipers in Good Condition
With more nighttime driving and potential rain, visibility is crucial.
✔ Never Drive Impaired—Not Even a Little
And if you see a driver swerving, speeding, or acting erratically, keep your distance and call authorities.
✔ Limit Distractions
Set your GPS before you drive. Put your phone away. Ask passengers for help managing anything that pulls your focus from the road.
What to Do If You’re in a Holiday Crash
If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident this season, take these important steps:
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Check for injuries and call 911 immediately.
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Document the scene with photos of the vehicles, injuries, traffic signals, debris, weather, and road conditions.
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Exchange information and get contact details from witnesses.
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Seek medical care right away, even if you don’t feel injured—some injuries don’t surface until hours or days later.
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Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies.
Remember: insurance companies often try to settle quickly and cheaply during the holidays, hoping you’re too distracted or overwhelmed to push back. That’s where having a dedicated legal team on your side makes all the difference.
We’re Here When You Need Us — Day or Night
At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we believe that when you’re hurt, you deserve real fighters on your side.
Our veteran-led team handles everything from start to finish:
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Accident investigation
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Dealing with the insurance companies
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Gathering evidence
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Helping with medical appointments
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Fighting for full compensation
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No fees unless you win
This holiday season, and every season, we’re here to stand up for you and your family.
