As the holidays draw nearer, traffic becomes more and more hectic. From long journeys to bumper-to-bumper lines at the mall, you will likely be stuck in some form of awful traffic.
The more you are in the car, the more likely you will encounter trouble. Car accidents are no fun, so be extra cautious when you are on the road.
Here are some ways you can prepare for holiday traffic:
Know When To Travel
Schedule your travel on days that aren’t known for heavy travel. Avoiding peak travel days will not just quicken your drive, but also decrease the chance of you getting in an auto accident.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a hectic travel day, which provides plenty of opportunity for problems to arise and cause you trouble. Thanksgiving itself, on the other hand, is a great day to travel because most other travelers left the day before.
Also, make sure you know where you are going on your trip and which routes you will take to get there. Mapping out your trip will help you figure out the route as well as work out alternative routes if an emergency arises.
Drive When Rested
We all know that long drives can be physically draining, as it’s part of the routine of travel. However, make sure that you have a plan of action if you or another driver get tired. If you get tired while driving, you aren’t as alert and can’t react to emergency situations like you should.
In fact, over 100,000 accidents are caused every year because the driver was tired, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Switching drivers every few hours will keep them fresh and alert, so you aren’t involved in an accident due to driver fatigue.
Use Caution At Intersections
Intersections cause a significant number of car accidents, especially during the holiday season. During the holidays, more people are inclined drink alcohol and drive after the sparkling holiday parties, thus jeopardizing your safety on the road.
Make sure you look both ways at every intersection, even if you have the right of way. Be wary of drivers who may drive through stop signs and lights, as they can hit you at full speed. If you slow down and take a quick look, you can see if anyone looks like they are stopping.
Drive Smoothly
Sudden stops and last minute driving decisions can be dangerous and lead to auto accidents. Don’t be hasty when driving and give yourself enough time to react to emergency situations like someone slamming on their brakes or cutting you off.
Also, make sure to use your indicator lights when changing lanes. Other drivers aren’t able to read your mind, so you need to let them know when you are getting in their lane. This allows them to give you enough space and let you change lanes.
Know What To Do If In An Accident
No matter how careful you are, you may still get in an accident and have injuries that need immediate attention. See a doctor as soon as possible so you can get back to your holiday activities safely.
When you delay treatment, you have to feel your pain getting worse, which can ruin your entire holiday. The sooner you get treated, the better you will feel during this holiday season.