The holiday season is just around the corner which means taking extra special care on the roads. According to a recent Autotrader poll, many holiday travelers are planning to drive to visit family and friends this holiday season and expect to be on the road for about 2 hours on average. Additionally, the poll showed that nearly a quarter — 22 percent — will travel almost 100 miles in their cars.
Stay safe this Christmas by following Autotrader’s top driving tips for 2016.
- Prepare Your Vehicle Ahead of Time
- Ready your vehicle by making sure it is in good shape. Double-check your tire pressure, oil, and coolant, and be sure to give it a wash. Riding in a clean car is always a more enjoyable experience for everyone
- Pre-set your navigation before your departure – think of it as one less thing to worry about when you’re trying to load up the car and hit the road.
- Be Ready for “Just In Case” Scenarios
- Check the weather forecast — you don’t want to be caught off guard by a winter storm, excessive rain or road closures in the middle of your road trip
- Always keep an extra phone charger in your car. You’ll be glad you did, especially in the event of an emergency
- Make Good Choices
- The no-brainers: Make sure that everyone in the car is properly wearing seatbelts, even if you are in a larger vehicle such as a van or an RV. Watch your speed, remembering it is not worth trying to cut travel time by driving too fast when roadways are packed with holiday traffic. And of course, don’t ever drink and drive, no matter what.
- The lesser-knowns: We know it may be impossible to pass up seconds on grandma’s sweet potato soufflé, but try not to overeat. Eating too much can make you tired for the drive back home. Take regular breaks, stopping at least once every two hours, and more often at night to help reduce fatigue and tunnel vision.
For further information on how you can follow these tips, click the link below.
