Holiday Road Trip? Drive Safe With These 6 Tips

Ah, the joy of the holidays. It’s all about those cozy hugs, yummy food, and maybe some lighthearted debates over the best stuffing recipes. Whether a weekend Hawaiian Luau or the turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, going home is indeed the favorite unalienable right of every American. However, before you can enjoy the warmth of family unity, there is a major obstacle – the drive.

During holidays, roads are as congested as Black Friday’s store aisles, crammed with cars and drivers making poor choices. With more drivers than usual trying to get somewhere, some of them speeding, lost, or worse, driving under the influence, your journey can quickly turn from merry to messy.

But you do not need to worry. Here are six safety tips to help you get home safely for the holidays.

Why Holiday Driving Can Be So Dangerous

But first, let’s look at why a holiday trip to Grandma’s house is not always a pleasant drive. You can get stuck in heavy traffic and, worse, be involved in an accident. Fortunately, there are dedicated Criminal lawyers in Sydney who can assist drivers in legal trouble due to traffic violations or accidents. Whether you are facing DUI charges or any other reckless driving cases, the best legal help will go a long way. The following are some of the risks associated with holiday driving:

Stress and Fatigue: Driving under stress can be dangerous. The majority of us experience time pressure, particularly when we have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time.
Drunk or impaired driving: It increases during the festive season, and this can have severe legal ramifications, not to mention risking one’s life.
Traffic Overload: Roads are full of aggressive, time-sensitive, and occasionally reckless drivers – not the best combination for a smooth ride.
Slippery roads: The roads are wet and slippery during the holidays, and a perfectly normal drive can quickly become dangerous because of a snowstorm.

Travel Risk Management during the Holidays

Vacation car rides are usually associated with joyful songs and the excitement of family time, but they also have risks. Below are six tips to assist you in avoiding such mishaps:

Stay Sharp and Avoid Distractions

Driving during the holiday is not the right time to relax and have your mind wander. Distracted driving is responsible for an average of eight fatalities per day in the United States, and winter makes it even more dangerous. Less light, unexpected snow, and unfamiliar roads mean each second is valuable.

Sirens, flashing lights, noises outside, beeps from your phone, and other related disturbances are peculiarities that can become perilous in the blink of an eye. Do not text people or use the phone while driving a car, and concentrate. If you feel you must entertain yourself, playing a road trip game is better than using your phone while driving.

Leave Early and Drive Steady

The beauty of the holiday season is that everything revolves around timing, especially the time one has at their disposal. Driving through snow-covered roads with cold brakes and slippery roads is not a good idea. Leaving early has the added advantage of lowering one’s stress levels and also allows one to drive slowly in case of any eventuality.

It is important to recall that traction is not as powerful, the engine may be less responsive, and other drivers might be just as stressed. Take your time when you are driving, do not apply sudden brakes, and ensure that you have the right car insurance.

Weather Forecasting Before Going Out

Winter weather is moody. One moment, the roads are free of snow; the next, they are covered with a white substance. To avoid getting caught in bad weather, checking the live weather before proceeding on the road is advisable. Freight may be carried out in efficient snow removal systems, but delays are always present, especially in rural regions.

Preheat your car, be ready for a delay, and consider using an app to find a car park with a roof. Having a car break down in the middle of a blizzard is not the tale one would want to recall when planning a vacation.

Service Your Vehicle Before the Trip

A brief check can prevent you from waiting for a long time by the roadside in the cold. Cold weather can take a toll on any car; therefore, it is advisable to visit an auto mechanic or go through the checklist of things to check before the trip.

Check your petrol level, the tread on your tires, spare tires, jumper cables, an ice scraper, and shovel for winter. It is advisable to carry chains and a roadside emergency kit in areas with heavy snow.

Never Drink and Drive—Always Designate a Driver

It is a tradition that most holidays involve some sort of booze consumption. But when it comes to driving, one cannot afford to compromise on alcohol. Alcohol-impaired driving is one of the biggest causes of fatal crashes during the festive season.

If you are going out to have drinks, decide in advance. Have a designated sober driver, call an Uber, or spend the night somewhere.

Drive Defensively, Not Just Carefully

Defensive driving is not a concept only applicable to newly learned drivers but a very important one to adopt, especially during the holiday period. This is a very busy season, especially with cars and other types of transport, not to mention the unfriendly weather conditions.

It is important not to drive in conditions such as icy roads or snow falling on the ground. Be aware of drivers who may change lanes suddenly or swerve in front of you. Always look out for blind spots, maintain a safe distance, and be careful when pedestrians are around you as they suddenly cross the road.

No matter if you are going to visit your relatives in another state during the holidays or if you are just going to buy food for the holiday dinner, the safety of the driver must be taken into consideration. These few but effective measures can assist in preventing accidents, staying out of trouble with the law, and guaranteeing that the only lights you need at the end of the trip are those on other people’s cars. On this festive occasion, ensure that the greatest gift you and your family receive is that everyone arrives safely.