Transportation Tips: Travel Safely this Christmas and New Year's Day


As the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays are around the corner, many people will be travelling to see loved ones. Last night three separate bus accidents in the Inland Empire occurred on wet highways which resulted in one passing and numerous injuries. Two accidents involved casino buses at the start of the afternoon peak hour around 2:30 PM, one of which overturned while coming down a hill along the northbound I-15 approaching SR-91 through Corona, the other overturned on the southbound I-15 in Pala Mesa just south of the Highway 76 interchange. Earlier in the day, a collision involving a westbound Riverside Transit Bus Route 27 occurred on Highway 74 in Menifee in between the Romoland and Homoland areas.

All of the collisions are under investigation and should serve as lessons for all us planning to travel for Christmas or New Year's Day: Travel Safely. Drivers especially should be extra careful on the roads. Give yourself plenty of extra time so that you're not rushing or traveling aggressively. Lastly, if you are drinking, do not--under any circumstance--drive.

By the way, if you happen to be in the Redlands area for Christmas and/or the New Year's Day holiday, several local small businesses have pooled resources together to fund a program where people who may have had too much to drink can get a ride home for free or reduced cost in lieu of taxi travel. The Responsible Redlands Safe Rides Home Program will be available starting tonight through New Year's Day. A local public official praised the program.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos stated, "I would like to commend Hangar 24 and all the participating business owners for spearheading this project, which ultimately has the goal of offering a safe alternative to those who might otherwise feel compelled to drink and drive."

Have a safe and Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and we'll talk to you again in 2014.

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