
Independence Day: a time to gather, observe, and toast to our freedom. As the Fourth of July weekend rapidly approaches and increased travel is anticipated, our Toyota of Plano team wants to remind our readers to stay alert this holiday weekend.
In the United States, the Fourth of July can be one of the busiest and, unfortunately, also one of the most dangerous times to travel. In 2019, 515 people died in motor vehicle accidents over July 4th weekend, with over half of these being alcohol-related. Toyota of Plano believes that there is no such thing as being too cautious. To ensure that our community remains fully prepared, our team has composed a list of essential safety measures. So before hitting the road for your nearest firework show, consider taking the following precautions to avoid any trouble during this long holiday weekend.
Toyota is focused on constantly improving standards of safety within the automotive industry. This commitment has allowed Toyota manufacturing to produce consumer vehicles equipped with the highest standard of safety technology on the market. Toyota of Plano encourages you to take advantage of your car’s Toyota Safety Sense features. With features like pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert, and road sign assist, drivers with updated Toyota models are more prepared than most. For those of you who haven’t upgraded, aren’t ready to upgrade-just yet, or are just looking for further safety guidance, the next couple of steps will ensure that you remain vigilant this Fourth of July.
Buckle up! Seat belts save lives. In the case of a collision, the correct usage of a seatbelt will hold vehicle occupants in place. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of serious injury by 50%. Those who do not wear a seatbelt are thirty times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle. Fastening your seatbelt upon entering the vehicle is the easiest measure you can take to greatly increase your personal safety.
Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings. While you may practice defensive driving, it is important to be aware of other motorists and any potential threats on the roadway. If you begin to feel tired or drowsy, don’t hesitate to pull over and take a break. The safety of yourself and others should always take priority.
Be sure to adhere to traffic laws and speed limits. This will not only keep you from earning a ticket, it will also promote your safety. Traffic is likely to increase throughout the holiday weekend, and by allocating an appropriate amount of time to get to your destination, you will not find yourself racing the clock to stay on schedule.
Most importantly– don’t drink and drive. Operating a vehicle while impaired significantly increases the risk of being involved in an accident. Driving while under the influence is a crime that can lead to serious consequences like large fines, the loss of your license, or jail time. If you plan to consume alcohol this holiday weekend, be sure to have a designated driver or opt to use a rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft.
In purchasing a new Toyota vehicle from Toyota of Plano, you have already made the first step towards improving your safety and the safety of your passengers. Toyota of Plano certifies all used cars, and our 2022 lineup of Toyota models are equipped with the latest in safety technology. This is why our customers can be so confident in their Toyota of Plano vehicles. This Fourth of July, Toyota of Plano wants to ensure that you can have a worry free holiday, and even if you have not recently upgraded your vehicle, by utilizing these precautionary measures, we can ensure that our community will enjoy many more Independence Day celebrations to come.