Important Tips to Help Keep You Safe on the Road this Holiday Season
The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is often the busiest travel time of the year. With so many more drivers out on the road, it is important to make sure you are doing everything you can to keep yourself, your family, and other drivers safe while on the road. Increased traffic can increase stress, which often leads to more accidents and incidents behind the wheel. By following these simple driving tips, you can help get your family to your destination safely and without any problems this holiday.
Make Sure Your Car is Ready
One of the first and most important things to do to prepare for holiday traveling is making sure your vehicle is in safe, running order. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are often traveling much farther distances than our day-to-day commutes, so making sure your car can make the trip safely is key. Check different operations of the vehicle including fluid levels, lights, tire pressure and condition, all the belts and hoses as well as the condition of the battery. If there are any concerns about any of the car’s operations, it should be looked at by a professional before making any long distance trips.
Be Ready for Emergencies
The holiday season also brings with it wintery weather. More often than not, depending on where you are located across the country, the likelihood you will run into snow, sleet, ice, or rain is pretty high. Because winter weather can slow down or even stop a holiday trip, it is important to make sure you are prepared. Make sure the car is stocked with different emergencies items like blankets, gloves, boots, a flashlight, kitty litter, and some non-perishable foods and water. All of these items will be important should you get stuck out on a wintery road while traveling over the river and through the woods.
Anticipate Extra Traffic
It is predicted that millions of travelers will hit the road this season, which means an increase in traffic from the usual day to day operations. Increased traffic often means slower driving speeds and even an increase of accidents or incidents that can slow down your trip. Before leaving, plan out your route and determine how long it should take you to arrive. If you are driving on a heavily traveled road, make sure to add extra travel time so you do not feel rushed. Also, make sure to pay close attention to speed limits and also be more aware of other drivers around you who are also meeting family for the holiday.
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*Photo Courtesy of MarineCorps NewYork via Creative Commons License