Everyone hopes their holiday driving experience is safe and stress-free. With so many people traveling the roads on holidays, this can seem like a difficult experience to orchestrate. The following holiday car travel tips will help you enjoy the special occasion without unfortunate driving dilemmas.
Before the day of holiday car travel, map out two or more route options you can take to your destination. You should always have a back-up plan for how you plan on getting from one place to another in case congested holiday traffic, construction, or an accident make your first choice no longer a logical option. This tip also gives you a chance to find roadside attractions, gas stations, and other pit stops you and your fellow travelers might need along the way.
Even though you ideally keep up with your car's maintenance needs, you should always make sure your car is in good working order before hitting the road in your used car for holiday travel. Check tire pressure, oil levels and age, the battery’s charge, and other important electrical systems well in advance of a long road trip or holiday drive.
Prepare yourself, your passengers, and your car for any emergencies that might arise while driving any distance on a holiday. Keep a roadside emergency kit stocked with first aid supplies, bottled water, reflective items to alert other drivers, and contact information for roadside assistance. Make sure you have a fully charged cellphone and the right charger adapter you can use in your car. Tell someone at your destination which route options you have planned and when you expect to arrive. When stopped, lock all of your valuable items in the trunk out of sight. Lastly, keep an eye on any children traveling with you for the holidays and remind them the rules for safe car travel like not talking to strangers and keeping a seat-belt on correctly.
After a day spent celebrating the holidays with friends and family, you are likely at least a little tired. Never get behind the wheel if you feel ready to sleep or have been drinking. Before you leave for a holiday road trip, have a plan in place in case you and other drivers aren't able to safely get everyone home. Driving tired is as dangerous as driving intoxicated, and you should think about how sleepy you are before you drive.
Safe driving habits, thoughtful planning, and a well maintained car help make sure your holiday car travel is a safe and low-stress experience.
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