When it comes to holidays, traffic, speeding, and drunk driving all increase around these times. For this reason, a lot more accidents occur over holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, and Labor Day. Therefore, your holiday travels can be some of the most dangerous and we want to help. Below, you’ll find some tactics for avoiding holiday travel trouble. That way, you can enjoy your celebration in the way it was intended: happy, healthy, and with the people you love.
Holiday Travels: Planning Ahead
Plan Ahead
Running late to dinner or family gatherings can be stressful. Especially when you’re bringing food and everyone is counting on you. To make up for this, it may be tempting to get in the vehicle and speed down the road. However, increasing speed and driving in a rush can lead to an accident. Instead, try to plan ahead as much as possible.
Make sure you’ve performed routine maintenance and checked tires so your vehicle is ready to go.In addition, try to pack up before it’s time to leave. By packing ahead of time, you won’t feel rushed, or like you’re forgetting something. Plan so that you can enjoy stress- free holiday travels, which will allow you to focus on driving.
Pack Wisely
Whether you’re going the distance or staying close by for your holiday travels, it’s important to pack safe. If you’re carrying any dishes, put them in a secure location. In doing so, they won’t be able to shift or spill, causing distractions. If you’re traveling a distance, make sure you pack safely within the weight limits of your vehicle. Secure any animals in the back seat so that won’t become a driver distraction.
Choose Different Days
When possible, it’s best to choose your holiday travels, and travel days, to avoid heavy traffic. Try going a day ahead or leaving a day later. By doing so, you can avoid some of the traffic that will crowd the roads. In addition, be smart about when you hit the road. Many people may drink and drive around holidays, after leaving parties and family gatherings. So, try to stay as safe as possible and be selective about when you hit the road.
Watch the Weather
Before leaving, it’s important to watch the weather. Depending on where you’re going, you could be facing rain, snow, or other bad weather. Know what you’re getting into and whether it’s even safe to travel. So, watch the weather a few days in advance and monitor it closely before leaving.
In short, it’s important to take a few extra steps in avoiding holiday travel trouble. Choose times wisely, prepare for the worst, and avoid heavy traffic. By driving smart, you can avoid unnecessary injury or incident. We wish you luck in traveling, and a happy holiday!