Holiday errands, busy parking lots, and unpredictable winter weather combine to create difficult driving conditions in Cherry Hill. People hurry to stores, daylight fades earlier, and storms can arrive without much warning. Each factor raises the risk of serious car accidents, but paying attention to seasonal hazards helps drivers protect themselves and others sharing local roads.
Why Do Holiday Shopping Surges Increase Accident Risks?
During the holiday season, crowded parking lots and busy retail corridors lead to more sudden stops, distracted driving, and unpredictable movements from both pedestrians and vehicles. Drivers may focus on finding a space or juggling purchases instead of watching the road. Added stress sometimes leads to impatient actions such as abrupt lane shifts or rolling through intersections. With more vehicles and foot traffic packed into the same areas, collisions become more likely.
How Do Early Sunsets Affect Driver Safety?
Shorter days mean more driving at dusk or after dark, and that reduced visibility makes spotting pedestrians, cyclists, and stalled vehicles more challenging. Glare from headlights adds to the problem; holiday decorations and flashing lights can distract or disorient drivers who must adjust quickly to changing visual environments. A slower approach near intersections, schools, and crosswalks helps reduce the chance of severe personal injury caused by nighttime crashes.
What Dangers Come With Winter Storms and Freezing Temperatures?
Ice, slush, and snow can make Cherry Hill roads slippery, even before plows arrive. Additionally, sudden weather changes sometimes catch people off guard while traveling on highways like I-295 or Route 70. When tires lose traction, stopping times increase, and skids become more likely. We recommend reducing speed, leaving additional space between vehicles, and clearing snow from roofs and windows before heading out.
Why Are Rear-End Collisions More Common This Season?
Heavy traffic and abrupt braking happen frequently near shopping centers and intersection clusters throughout Cherry Hill. People may follow too closely while trying to move quickly through busy corridors, and when a car stops unexpectedly, the vehicle behind may be unable to slow down in time. Keeping a wide gap can reduce the severity of such impacts.
How Do Drunk and Drugged Driving Trends Change During the Holidays?
Seasonal gatherings often lead to impaired driving: More celebrations increase the number of intoxicated drivers on the road, especially at night and on weekends. Reaction times slow, and judgment becomes compromised, raising the likelihood of lane drifting, speeding, and missing traffic signals. Choosing a designated driver, calling a ride service, or staying overnight after events reduces incidents linked to substance use behind the wheel.
Are Pedestrians at Greater Risk Near Shopping Districts?
Large crowds walking around retail parking lots, such as the ones at Cherry Hill Mall, are a considerable hazard. People may walk while carrying bags, holding children, or looking at phones. Drivers might not anticipate them stepping into traffic outside marked crosswalks. Slower travel speeds, cautious backing out of parking spaces, and scanning both directions near storefronts are important steps to help prevent serious harm to those on foot.
How Can Weather and Road Condition Reports Help Reduce Risk?
Monitoring forecasts before traveling allows people to plan routes that avoid dangerous areas in Cherry Hill. If snow or freezing rain is expected, leaving early or delaying trips may reduce exposure to those conditions. State and local agencies also provide updates on closures or plowing progress that help motorists avoid roadway obstructions.
Cherry Hill Car Accident Lawyers at Pressman, Doyle, Bloom, & York Wish You the Happiest Holiday Season
If you need legal advice after a motor vehicle crash in our area, contact our Cherry Hill car accident lawyers at Pressman, Doyle, Bloom, & York. Call 856-843-8990 or complete our online form today for a free consultation. We have offices in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Media, PA, and serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.