Before hitting the road this Holiday Season, check out our Road Trip Safety Tips.
As amazing as Christmas in Paris sounds, last year an estimated 97.4 million people stayed a little closer to home, traveling on the roads between December 31 and January 1 (New York Times). That’s a lot of people and a lot of miles. Here’s how to stay safe out there!
Road Trip Safety Tips
Have Your Car Inspected
Nothing puts a chill on the holidays like a roadside breakdown, or even worse, an accident. According to the most recent data available, AAA rescued a record number of stranded motorists, citing battery and tire failures as major culprits. So before you head out for your winter road trip, we recommend having your car inspected, and if necessary, serviced.
Prepare a Winter Driving Emergency Kit
Always be prepared. Stow an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes:
● An operational spare tire and jack
● Jumper cables
● An ice scraper
● A first aid kit
● Water
● Blankets
● Extra gloves, hats, and mittens
● Snacks
● A flashlight
● Flares
Know How to Drive in Wintery Conditions
All-wheel or four-wheel drive won’t save you if you don’t respect the weather. Ice is icy regardless of your drivetrain! Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you (approximately 8 seconds), avoid lane changes, accelerate slowly, and brake cautiously. You may even want to consider enrolling in a winter driving school.
Plan Your Drive
As with international travel, it pays to plan your route. Google Maps and Waze are great, but we recommend jotting down your route (and alternate route) just in case!
Stay Rested, Be Alert: Take a Pit Stop
Driving in the winter can be stressful and tiring. As you become fatigued, your reaction times are significantly slowed. Be sure to take frequent stops to rest your eyes, stretch your legs, and relax your shoulders. Grab a water or a caffeinated beverage to ensure you’ll make frequent safety stops!
We hope that these Holiday Travel Road Trip Safety Tips help ensure you have the very merriest Holiday Season.
COPYRIGHT 2018
About The Author Bernard D. Gollotti, CPP – As the Founder and Senior Security Consultant of LARGO Consulting Services, llc Ben assists executives, individuals, corporations, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations in finding security solutions, engaging people through social media, and developing new business strategies. As a social media strategist, he provides coaching, mentoring and site management services for business and individuals looking to maximize their brand awareness and subject expertise through social networking.