With the holiday season in full swing, it’s time to buckle up and get ready for a winter driving adventure. No one wants to end up in a car accident, especially during the holiday season, but slippery icy roads, dense fog reducing visibility, and more drivers/cars than usual can pose some threats.
To help you stay safe while you’re out there exploring all that this season has to offer us, we’ve compiled 5-holiday driving tips below. Don’t forget to share these with your family members before they head out into traffic.
- Don’t Tailgate: Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. This will keep your car from sliding if they suddenly stop due to poor road conditions or traffic congestion. Plus, it ensures that you have enough room for error should something unexpected happen. Similarly, avoid making sudden turns or stops in bad weather. In order to avoid slipping or sliding on the road, make sure you give yourself enough time to come to a complete stop before making a turn.
- Drive Slowly & Carefully: If there is snow or ice on the road, make sure to drive slowly and keep an eye on the road conditions. If you start feeling like your car is losing control when it’s snowy out, ease off the accelerator and give yourself a little more room for error with slower speeds.
- Get Your Car Checked Before Driving: Even if your car is in tip-top shape, this time of year can be tough on vehicles. Before heading out for the first drive after winter has set in, make sure to have your vehicle checked by a mechanic at least once every six months. They’ll let you know if there are any parts that need replacing or services that should be performed before you start driving again.
- Check the Weather Forecast: It doesn’t matter how prepared you are if the weather is taking a turn for the worst. Check your local forecast before heading out, and make sure to update yourself on any changes in conditions that may affect your drive. If there’s been a lot of snowfall or flooding, be extra careful when driving. Even if you’re an amazing driver, these kinds of road conditions can be tough to navigate, and they make it more likely that serious accidents will occur on the roads, so keep your eyes peeled and drive carefully!
- Don’t Drink & Drive: Although this goes without saying, we’ll still remind you how dangerous the combo of alcohol and driving is. The addition of winter’s dense fog and slippery roads only make it lethal. So either doesn’t drive in this condition or get someone sober to drive for you.
Wrapping Up:
Having a safe and happy holiday season is everyone’s goal! As long as we’re all careful, taking the necessary precautions to ensure that our family stays in one piece when they head out for an adventure, this year will be another great time spent with loved ones during this special time of year!