Every year, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. It’s a time of gratitude, of celebrating loved ones, and of feasting together in thanks. The average American will travel 215 miles to be with beloved friends and/or family on this day, as it’s one of the most anticipated and celebrated holidays of the year.
Unfortunately, the holidays are also a time of increased vehicular accidents, and the reason for this is multilayered. There are more people on the road, impaired driving becomes increasingly common, and weather conditions are considerably more changeable and dangerous.
Therefore, it is more important than ever to prepare yourself and your car for the miles and the unknowns that lie between you and grandma’s house. Unfamiliar towns, traffic patterns, and roadways, combined with dicey winter weather can create anxiety and stress that can be mediated by following a few safety tips.
- Plan Your Route. GPS makes it convenient to get from point A to point B. However, what if GPS stops working? Arm yourself with paper maps (especially if you’re traveling to unfamiliar locations) and get an idea on how you can avoid route blockages if they should arise.
- Share Your Route. It’s easier than ever these days to share your location with loved ones. Even though the route might be familiar to you, there are likely several other paths you can take, so keep your family updated with your progress along the way.
- Get Full Coverage. Nothing says peace of mind like being fully covered with good car insurance. Review your current policy and research cheap auto insurance to get a better idea as to how much you can save.
- Review Safety Strategies. There’s a huge difference between summer and winter driving. During the winter, prepare to keep 8-10 seconds behind the car in front of you. Drive slowly, regardless of how clear the pavement looks; black ice is transparent and deceiving. Steer into a skid to avoid overcorrecting and possibly driving into the other lane or oncoming traffic. When turning left, keep the tires pointed straight ahead, as an accidental bump from behind could careen you into oncoming traffic.
- Add to Travel Time. Snow and ice don’t have to be inconvenient, if you give them the respect they deserve. Allow yourself ample time to get to your destination. Keep in mind that you will likely encounter a) stalled vehicles b) snowplows that are difficult or impossible to get around c) slow traffic d) impaired driving conditions.
- Have a Designated Driver. The holidays are a time for cheer and celebration. Be sure to know ahead of time how you will safely get from the party to your hotel or home. This might be a designated driver, Lyft, Uber or taxi.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings. Crime tends to rise around the holidays, because thieves know that there might be expensive packages left in cars, purchased for holiday gift giving. Even if this isn’t the case for you, it’s safe to be aware of what and who is around you, to avoid any blindsides.
- Pack a Winter Kit. Although your vehicle might be busting at the seams with luggage, make room for one more – a winter kit. This will include items to take along for “just in case” circumstances. Extra blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, snack bags, gloves, fully charged power bank, jumper cables, and flares.
- Be Patient with Plows. Although it might be frustrating to get “stuck” behind a snowplow, remember that they are there for you, to keep you safe. Stay back about 100 feet and only pass them if you have enough room to be in the ‘safe’ zone, where the air is clear and free of snow blast.
- Get Your Rest. With so much to do at holiday time, is it really any wonder that people find themselves fighting fatigue more frequently in November and December? Before setting off on a long road trip, catch up on your rest, take frequent breaks to stand, walk around a bit, get some fresh air, and revitalize.
- Prepare Your Car. Check the tire tread, air pressure, fluid levels, windshield wiper viability, battery voltage, brakes, and lights. Consider having your mechanic perform a tune up beforehand, and check all of the levels and lights along the way as you travel.
Thanksgiving is a time of joy and of people coming together. Don’t be dismayed by poor winter driving conditions, get a jump start right now on your car’s health, insurance, and how you and your family can be more comfortable and secure on your trip.
