What Every Louisiana Adult Should Have on Their Christmas Wish List

(99.9 KTDY) - Most adults in Louisiana are working on trying to figure out how to pay for Christmas for their children instead of worrying about themselves. It's what parents do. However, thinking about our own wants and needs can sometimes benefit us in the long run. Making our "Christmas Wish List" of practical items is a good idea, and we have thoughts on what should be at the top.

Get our free mobile app

Why Louisiana Drivers Are at Risk

Thousands of us drive during rush-hour traffic twice a day, and we know traffic can be hectic, to say the least. Even driving around to run errands on a weekend, you can put your life in danger when driving in Acadiana. It's sort of crazy out there. Most people pay attention, stay off their phones, and drive defensively, but unfortunately, we are at the mercy of those who don't.

When you are sitting around thinking about all of the things you would buy yourself for Christmas if you had a ton of money, you might not think about one thing that can really get you out of a jam if the situation arises.

Hit-and-Runs Happen Often in Acadiana

These days, we are constantly dealing with more instances of people causing traffic crashes and then fleeing the scene. A quick daily check of local traffic crash reports shows that hit-and-run crashes are occurring frequently.

The following are the number of hit-and-run crashes for the past several months:

• October: 169
• September: 171
• August: 127
• November (to date): 60

The Gift You Didn’t Know You Needed: Dash Cams

The one item you might not have thought you wanted but definitely need is a dash cam for your vehicle. Now, some cars come with that as standard equipment, but if you don't have one, it's an investment you should seriously consider making, because people keep crashing into other people's cars and just taking off.

In this day and age, it can be very costly to have to pay for damages to your vehicle that you haven't caused. With a dash cam, you can certainly help the police, your insurance companies, and others, to hopefully quickly track down the culprit.

Expert Advice from Attorney Richard Kennedy III

Well, one of our friends, Attorney Richard Kennedy III, says he thinks it's a very important tool to have in your vehicle.

Having a dash camera is key.   If you’re ever in a crash it can capture details about the crash, including time before and after the crash.  It’s an extra set of eyes and ears that can protect you by having proof of what happened before, during and after the crash and eliminates the “he said she said” various versions.

Check out Kennedy's video about the importance of being able to prove what happened before, during, and after a collision. He also shows which camera he purchased and has in his vehicle.

How Much Do Dash Cams Really Cost?

Whether you want to purchase one like Kennedy or something else, about a hundred bucks is the general cost for a dash cam for the front and rear of your vehicle.

Give the Gift of Safety This Christmas

In addition to Kennedy's choice, I asked my technology guru, and he says you can get something for around that amount that will help to protect you in the event someone crashes into and flees, or tries to blame a crash on you.

The tech guru says the following is also good:

Limited-time deal: REDTIGER Dash Cam Front Rear, 4K/2.5K Full HD Dash Camera for Cars, Included 32GB Card, Built-in Wi-Fi GPS, 3.16” IPS Screen, Night Vision, 170°Wide Angle, WDR, 24H Parking Mode(F7NP) 

So no matter what choice you make, Kennedy and the tech guru both highly suggest that you invest in a dash cam.

Could a Dash Cam Lower Your Insurance?

If you're looking for a present for that person who is hard to buy for, this also might be an excellent idea for Christmas this year. Check out any social media platform in Acadiana, and you'll find people complaining that their vehicles have been hit and someone has just taken off. Life would be better if you had access to that person's information via your own dash cam. It's also not a bad idea to check with your insurance company to see if you might be eligible for a discount if you have a dash cam.