If you are like most people, you are going to be traveling during the next couple of weeks. Whether you are flying across the country, taking the train, or driving, you will be among the estimated 98.6 million Americans that will travel 50 miles or more from their home during the holiday season, according to AAA.
With so many people traveling, it’s important to take extra precaution to be as safe as possible, especially when you are driving. There will be more people on the road, and more of those people will be traveling long distances. This can create tired, anxious and stressed out drivers. Here are some tips to help you avoid the holiday travel crush and get to your destination safely.
Plan Your Route
Before you leave, plan out how you will get there. Choose the roads you will take and when you will take them. Be sure to check on any road closures or construction that might delay the trip. This will help you understand how you will get there and help you avoid any extra traffic that could be avoided.
Look at the Weather
As your departure date gets closer, be sure to check the weather for your entire trip. This is especially important if you are traveling a long distance. If you just check where you begin and where you end, but are traveling over a mountain pass, you might end up in a snowstorm without even realizing it.
Get Your Car Tuned-Up
Before taking any long trip, you should get your car checked out by a mechanic. It’s understandable to not want to spend extra money this time of year, but there is nothing fun about breaking down on the side of the road with your entire family in the car. Taking the time to get your car checked out will help avoid any foreseeable problems and help you be confident your car will get there.
Give Extra Time
There is one thing you can count on when traveling around the holidays – there is going to be traffic. Depending on how far you are traveling, give yourself a lot of extra time. Even if you travel the same route all the time and know how long it will take, it will take longer this time of year. Adding a couple hours will not only help ensure you get there on time, it will make your trip a lot less stressful.
Drive Defensively
When you are on the road, be sure to drive defensively. Because there are a lot of people traveling, there will be a lot of drivers unfamiliar with the roads they are driving on. Give people extra space, don’t get upset when people cut you off or drive poorly, and ease up on the gas. This is a time of year when there are a lot more accidents than normal. Don’t let you be one of them.
Although there is no way to predict when someone else might drive poorly and cause an accident, taking the necessary steps to keep yourself safe will give you the peace of mind that you have done everything you can.
If you have been in a vehicle accident and have questions about what to do next, please give us a call at 949-496-7000. We offer a free consultation to help determine what options you have.