Safety Tips for Holiday Travel by Car
Road trips are a time-honored family tradition. Around the holidays, it makes more sense for families to avoid the crowds, delays, and expenses of air travel and instead hit the road to build some fantastic family memories.
Whether you’re packing up to head out for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other extended holiday weekends, you’ll want to follow these tips to ensure you have a safe holiday travel by car.
Conduct a Pre-inspection
Before you head out on your holiday travel excursion, you should conduct a pre-travel inspection of your vehicle. Here’s what you need to check out:
- Fluid levels
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Turn signals
- Brake lights
- Tire pressure
- Windshield wipers
If you’re approaching the time for your oil change, take care of that and let your trusted mechanic handle the tune-up to ensure your ride is road-ready.
Rest Up
There is a desire to get to where you’re going as quickly as possible, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of your health. It’s essential to get proper rest before a long road trip. It’s also a good idea to make frequent stops to get out, stretch, and fuel your body. You want to drive with energy and not fatigue.
Don’t Drive While Distracted
You might be driving a car full of family, which is a fun experience. However, everyone needs to embrace the concept of not distracting the driver.
That means the backseat passengers need to avoid getting into squabbles. It also helps to have your route clearly planned, so you’re not struggling to read maps or second-guess which exit to take. If you are using your car’s navigation system, be sure you program your destination before leaving.
Once you’re on the road, avoid sending texts or making adjustments with your radio. Let your “navigator” handle that.
Follow the Rules of the Road
The faster you drive, the more likely you are to lose control of the car. Even going 10 mph above the speed limit puts you at risk for an accident.
You also want to signal when changing lanes and check your blind spots before merging. It is also important to note that law enforcement increases its presence on the highways during the holiday season. You don’t want a speeding ticket to ruin your holiday.
Travel Early in the Day or During Daylight Hours
When planning your driving time, try to drive during the early morning hours, when daylight is at its peak. That is when visibility will be the most favorable. This is especially helpful when driving through winter road conditions, such as snow and ice. You want to be able to see the road ahead as clearly as possible.
Fuel Up
It is essential to keep an eye on your fuel gauge. You won’t always know when you’ll have the opportunity to fuel up. If you reach a quarter of a tank, you should consider refueling. That can also be a good opportunity for another rest break.
Share the Driving Time
On an exceptionally long trip, it will help to share the driving time with your partner. You can take shifts and use the time in the passenger seat to nap or catch up with your emails and texts.
Consider Signing Up for Roadside Service
When driving out of your immediate area, you won’t have access to your mechanics, but you could have access to roadside service. Some car manufacturers offer roadside service. There are also independent services, such as the American Automobile Association (AAA), that you can enroll in to provide support for flat tires and dead batteries.
By practicing defensive driving and planning ahead, you should arrive at your holiday destination and return without issue. The best holiday road trip is a safe one.
What Happens if I’m in an Accident While Traveling?
If you’re involved in a collision while traveling, it’s important to work with a law firm that understands the complexities of these accidents. At GDH Law, a team of experienced car accident attorneys is standing by to help.
