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Health & Fitness

Take It Easy This Season

Attorney Mike Bottaro cites alarming accident data during the holiday season. Please stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

Did you know that in Rhode Island, December brings more fatalities from car accidents than in any other month?

In 2009, the government reported 76 traffic accident fatalities in RI for the entire year and 13 occurred in December alone. Additional statistics are here.

From my perspective as an attorney, the uptick is directly related to the holiday season and weather. First, we see a lot of holiday parties resulting in people getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks. Second, it seems there are more people on the road taking more chances around the holidays. We're all trying to fit in shopping, cooking, visiting friends, etc. on top of our usual schedules.  Have you noticed anyone rushing around on the roads more than usual?

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If you like stats, then here's another: typically, there are more than 6 million annual car accidents across the country — and over 100 Americans die each day from a car accident.

It is fitting that somebody has named December ”National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month.” Here is a summary of some helpful tips for stress-free holidays that I found online: (1) lower your expectations for the “perfect” holiday and just go with the flow; (2) simplify; and, (3) participate in stress busters (exercise, watch your diet, and don’t be afraid to say “no”). 

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This holiday season, please consider slowing down.

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