Holiday Road: 8 Tips for Staying Safe in a Shorter Season
Professional drivers, when it comes to the 2024 holiday season, the calendar is not on your side.
A late Thanksgiving has compressed the holiday rush, meaning more traffic, tighter schedules and heightened risks heading into Christmas Day. Plus, many parts of the country have already seen their first snowfalls, creating treacherous driving conditions.
The best way to stay safe amid the holiday hustle and bustle is to give yourself the gift of patience. Follow these eight tips:
1. Plan ahead. According to AAA, drivers can expect 20% longer travel times during the holiday rush, especially in major cities. Account for these delays by building extra time into your route planning. Try to avoid peak travel times like rush hours. Find alternate routes around shopping malls and other holiday hotspots.
2. Slow down and buckle up. Always wear a seatbelt, and drive at or below posted speed limits. Reduce your speed by about one-third on a wet road and by one-half or more on icy or snow-packed roads.
3. Anticipate the unexpected. Last year, 115.2 million people traveled 50 miles or more during the holiday season, according to AAA. Heavy traffic increases the odds of other drivers making sudden lane changes, stopping unexpectedly or missing their exits. Allow extra following distance to give yourself extra reaction time and avoid accidents.
4. Limit distractions. Never text or use your phone while driving. Also, expect other motorists to be more distracted than usual during the holidays.
5. Watch for impaired driving. Look for signs of drunk and drowsy drivers, such as frequent braking, unsteady speed and weaving between lanes. And, of course, never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.
6. Be winter-weather ready. Pack tire chains, blankets, a shovel and other cold-weather gear. Check the forecast before each leg of your route. Change your wipers. Drain air tanks daily in cold weather. Keep your windshield, mirrors, brake lights and license plate clear of ice and snow.
7. Keep your vehicle well-maintained. Conduct thorough pre-trip inspections, including checks of your tire’s wear and air pressure, brakes, lights and fluid levels. Secure all loads properly.
8. Take your breaks. Avoid holiday fatigue by following Hours of Service rules and taking 30-minute breaks after 8 cumulative hours.