Safe driving tips for Thanksgiving

Travelling is often part of many people’s Thanksgiving plans, but driving places over the holidays can be dangerous. Since many people are driving home or to see relatives, the roads may be busier than usual. Heavy traffic and driving long distances can both cause problems and accidents.

Here are a few tips you can use to stay safe over the holiday weekend while driving to the festivities.

Prepare

Before you hit the road you should give your car a good inspection to make sure everything is in working order. If you have routine maintenance to be done, you should get that taken care of before your trip. Checking your oil, tire pressure, washer fluid and headlights can help you avoid problems during your trip.

You might also want to look into creating an emergency kit, especially if you are travelling a long distance. You can include a first aid kit, cell phone chargers, matches, jumper cables, a blanket, flashlight, tool kit and other supplies.

Anticipate

You should plot out your course in advance so you can be sure you know where you are going. Having a route planned out can help you move more efficiently. However, Thanksgiving weekend is a busy time and even planning a route beforehand might not help you avoid traffic.

Heavy traffic can put a big damper on your holiday plans. If you run into gridlock it could make you late for spending time with family. Apps like Waze can help you figure out ways to avoid the worst routes and get help you get to your destination more efficiently.

Thanksgiving is a happy time for spending with loved ones, but the only way to ensure this is to get where you need to go safely. Taking precautions and anticipating conditions will help. Be cautious, careful, smart and vigilant on your journey and you will be eating stuffing with friends and family in no time.