If last summer is any indication of how North Carolinians will choose to vacation in 2010, the roads could be seeing a considerable increase in traffic this Labor Day Weekend. Like most Americans, citizens of North Carolina want to get away during the last holiday of the summer season. Unfortunately, the overwhelming popularity of these late summer vacations has made the travel process required to get out of town significantly less than a favorable experience.

Most people who plan to travel during Labor Day Weekend will be utilizing the roads to arrive at their final destination. Although drivers are likely to be met with high gas prices at the pump, this has not stopped them from traveling in years past. In order to alleviate some of the stress commonly produced by Labor Day Weekend traffic, state officials have previously suspended many of the on-going road construction projects located along the state’s busiest highways. Even with this type of assistance, Labor Day Weekend has been, and will always be, considered one of the busiest holiday travel periods of the year.

In order to avoid any accidents this Labor Day Weekend, we here at the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood would like to suggest taking the following precautions:

Do a “walk-around” of your car.
• Before you leave, check your car’s tires, fluid, and wipers. It may be necessary to have the cooling system and radiator serviced as well.
Wear your seatbelt.
Don’t speed.
• Be patient while you drive and always leave in plenty of time to arrive at your destination safely.
Avoid distractions.
• Examples include: texting while driving, loud music, etc.
Plan ahead.
• Know where you are going before you ever leave your home. Many accidents are caused by drivers suddenly switching lanes in order to catch a particular exit.
• If you get confused while on the road, pull over to consult your directions or consider purchasing a GPS navigational system.
Eliminate fatigue.
• Get plenty of rest before you depart for your vacation
Don’t drink and drive.
• Do not consume any alcohol or other illegal substance immediately before or during your drive.
Avoid aggressive driving behavior.
Lookout for pedestrians or children darting out into the road.
Watch out for motorcyclist/bicyclist.
• You should give persons on a motorcycle or bicycle the same respect that you would give another driver in a car.
• Persons on motorcycles or bicycles are also required to follow the same rules as drivers of cars.
Be tolerant of large trucks.
• Never try to “cut off” a large truck because these types of vehicles need more time to brake.
Pull over to use your cell phone.
Always use your signal lights.
Never stop on the highway – pull over instead.
Don’t panic!
• A calm driver is a safe driver.

A premature ruptured membrane, or more commonly known as PROM, is a serious issue and threat to the mother and unborn child. A ruptured membrane is considered premature when it occurs before 37 weeks. A pregnant mother diagnosed with a premature ruptured membrane should be cared for urgently. Often, labor and delivery are induced soon after the membrane ruptures and therefore women generally only remain pregnant for a few weeks after the diagnosis. However, survival rates for the fetus are not very promising early on. There is a 12% survival rate when the rupture occurs at 16-19 weeks and a 60% chance at 25-26 weeks. A premature ruptured membrane in the midtrimester (13-26 weeks) has a poor prognosis though better results are being seen in recent studies. Monitoring the mother and child after the membrane rupture is crucial. If both the mother and child are stable it is still important to reevaluate their condition daily in order to prevent the mother from contracting an infection and to help improve the fetus’s chance of survival. In the diagnosis of a ruptured membrane, maternal health and safety should be the primary concern.

For more information on premature ruptured membranes, click here.

If you or someone you know has suffered due to a ruptured membrane and would like to speak further about it, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at 1-877-829-7211.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July 4th and July 3rd are, respectively, the 1st and 2nd deadliest days (http://1-800-247-legal.com/MOTOR_VEHICLE_ACCIDENT_FACT.html) of the year to drive. (“Traffic Safety Facts 2003”). The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has recently taken steps to prevent drunk drivers from inhabiting the roads during the extended July 4th weekend. The NC State Highway Patrol’s “Operation Firecracker” program has established over 5,200 “Booze It & Loose It” checkpoints across the state as well as increased the amount of patrols during the Independence Day weekend. (http://www.dui.com/dui-library/north-carolina/news/booze-it-lose-it). The overall goal of the program is to decrease the number of persons on the highway that are driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), as well as increase the public’s awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. In 2008, Governor Mike Easley announced that the Operation Firecracker campaign netted nearly 2,000 cases of drunk driving in North Carolina. (http://www.dui.com/dui-library/north-carolina/news/number-of-violations-for-north-carolina-dwi-listed). As you and your loved ones prepare for this year’s July 4th festivities, be mindful of the potentially reckless drivers with whom you will share the road. Additionally, try to avoid any unnecessary travel on major interstates or highways during the Independence Day weekend.