Holiday Travel
Safety Tips

The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it can also bring extra risks, especially when traveling. Whether you’re driving to visit family, catching a flight, or hitting the road for a getaway, safety should be your top priority. Follow these essential tips to ensure a smooth and secure journey this holiday season.

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Written by AUTO ACCIDENT TEAM
Key Takeaways About Holiday Travel
01.

The holiday season brings increased traffic and higher chances of accidents, making safety preparation essential for travelers.

02.

Ensure proper car maintenance before traveling, such as by checking tires, batteries, and emergency supplies.

03.

Use hands-free devices, program your GPS beforehand, and take regular breaks to prevent accidents caused by distractions.

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The holidays are meant to be a time filled with family gatherings, timeless memories, and fun traditions. However, it is no secret that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can create a higher risk for potential accidents to occur. If you are traveling this holiday season, there are several driving safety tips that may be able to help prevent you and your loved ones from being involved in a personal injury accident caused by the negligence of others.

When preparing for the holidays, safety should always be a priority, especially when it comes to travel. At the Auto Accident Team, we understand how stressful it can be to navigate holiday traffic and unpredictable weather conditions. With years of experience connecting clients to legal professionals, we are committed to ensuring that you have the resources you need to protect yourself and your family while on the road.

How Can You Prepare for Safe Holiday Travel?

When getting ready for your holiday plans, knowing how to best keep yourself and your family safe as you travel comes with a lot of preparation. Some tips to help you prepare for safe holiday travels include the following:

Perform Any Necessary Vehicle Maintenance Prior to Your Travels

Before setting off on any holiday travel plans, you should plan to perform any necessary car maintenance. This will allow you to address any safety issues before you hit the roadways.

These car maintenance routines may include the following:

Check tire pressure
Check the tread depth of your vehicle
Check the flat tire replacement and ensure the tire & the jack are in good shape
Check or replace wiper blades
Fill windshield washer fluid reservoir
Test the car battery
Check the chains of your vehicle if you will be traveling through areas with snow or ice
Check tire pressure
Check the tread depth of your vehicle
Check the flat tire replacement and ensure the tire & the jack are in good shape
Check or replace wiper blades
Fill windshield washer fluid reservoir
Test the car battery
Check the chains of your vehicle if you will be traveling through areas with snow or ice

If you perform the above maintenance but still find yourself injured in an accident due to negligence related to product liability issues with your vehicle, you have the right to pursue justice by filing a personal injury claim. For legal advice or help with your personal injury claim, you can reach out to the Auto Accident Team. We will connect you with a licensed attorney who will provide you with the support and guidance you need to handle your holiday travel accident case with confidence.

Have An Emergency Kit on Hand

It is always better to be safe than sorry. While you may be a safe and experienced driver, you can never predict the actions of those who share the roads with you. In the event that an accident does occur, having an emergency kit can be extremely helpful, and even life-saving, for you and any passengers.

Your emergency kit may include any of the following items:

  • Basic hand tools, like a screwdriver or hammer
  • Battery or solar powered phone chargers so you can call for help and keep your phone charged
  • Drinking water and nonperishable snacks
  • Flashlights with new batteries
  • Gloves, rain protection, hats, warm clothing, and extra blankets
  • Sand or traction mats for slippery, oily, or snowy road conditions you may encounter
  • Rags or paper towels
  • Small shovel and snow scraper
  • First aid kit
  • Warning flares

While it is hopeful that you do not need to use this emergency kit, having it on hand can be crucial if you do find yourself involved in an accident while traveling for the holidays.

Avoid Holiday Travel Rush Hour

There are certain times of days close to the holidays when there may be a large influx of cars on the roadways. To avoid the high risk of an accident occurring, it may be best to plan your travel at a time where there will be less cars traveling the same route as you.

Map Your Desired Travel Route

Before setting off on your holiday travels, you should map out the route you will take. When doing this, check for any road closures or predicated inclement weather that could cause issues during your travels. If certain areas are predicted to have heavy rain, snow, or sleet, it may be best to try to reroute to avoid these dangerous road conditions.

In the event that you are involved in a personal injury accident while traveling during the holidays, you may be eligible to recover compensation for any losses you and your loved ones may have suffered. The Auto Accident Team can help by connecting you to our licensed and local car accident attorney network who can help you through each step of the personal injury claims process.

Avoid Distracted Driving While Traveling During the Holiday

Every time you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you carry a certain duty of care to operate your car in a reasonably safe manner as to avoid causing any accidents. While you should never drive while distracted, it is especially important that you are alert while driving during the holidays due to various factors like higher volumes of traffic, inclement weather, and individuals who may be speeding to make it to holiday plans. 

While there may be more opportunities for distractions than normal when traveling for the holidays, there are several tips that can help you avoid distracted driving and keep yourself, and others, safe.

These include:

  • Using Hands-Free Devices: You should never pick up your phone or another electronic device while you are driving. However, if you need to make a call or send a text to let family know you are on your way to holiday plans, you should ensure that you have hands-free devices set up in your car.
  • Programming Your GPS Before You Begin Driving: If you are using a GPS system to make it to your holiday destination, you should always set up your route with the program before you begin driving. 
  • Taking Breaks If Needed: Fatigued driving is one of the most common forms of distracted driving and causes of auto accidents. For that reason, it is crucial you take frequent breaks and rest if needed. This is especially important for trips spanning longer than a few hours.  
  • Setting Guidelines With Any Passengers:To help you avoid distractions, you should set clear guidelines with any passengers coming with you on your holiday travels. For example, if you are traveling with children in the car, make sure you discuss the importance of them refraining from throwing things in the vehicle or kicking the back of the driver’s seat. 

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. If you were harmed in an accident while traveling during the holidays as the result of distracted driving, the Auto Accident Team will connect you to our attorney network who can guide you through the steps of filing a car accident claim and pursuing justice.

Protect Yourself When Traveling Through Winter Weather

To ensure that you and those you are sharing the roads with can drive as safely as possible when faced with snow, sleet, or ice on the roads, there are several tips you should consider to protect yourself this holiday season.

These tips include the following:

01.
Drive slowly:

While it is understandable that you may want to get to your destination as quickly as possible during the holidays, speeding through winter weather can be highly dangerous.

02.
Prepare your vehicle:

Check your vehicle’s defroster and exhaust system. You can also add a special solvent to your windshield washer fluid to prevent ice from forming on the windshield.

03.
Avoid sudden jerking movements:

When driving through winter weather, you should try to make gradual changes to your vehicle’s speed and direction.

04.
Scan the area:

As you drive, you should stay vigilant and keep your eyes moving by checking your mirrors. You should be scanning the road ahead and to the sides of your vehicle to monitor any potential hazards that could be approaching.

05.
Know how to handle a skid:

You should know how to steer into a skid in the event that you hit ice or slippery roads and lose control of your vehicle.

06.
Keep windows clear:

Visibility is crucial when driving through winter weather. That is why it is so important that you make sure the car windows are clear and your lights are free of snow or ice.

07.
Avoid cruise control:

You should be able to adjust the speed of your vehicle as necessary. For that reason, it is not advisable to use cruise control while you are traveling through winter weather during the holiday season.

08.
Stay back from snow plows:

If you are driving in an area with heavy snowfall, you should leave extra distance between your vehicle and any snow plows trying to clear the way for drivers. You should also be careful to avoid any snow piled up from these plows.

To learn more about what your next steps should be if you have been in an accident while traveling for the holidays through winter weather, the Auto Accident Team can help by connecting you to our licensed and local attorney network.

The Auto Accident Team Will Connect You With a Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Holiday Travel Accident Claim Today

If you or your loved ones have been involved in a car accident during your holiday travels, the Auto Accident Team is here to connect you with experienced legal professionals who can guide you through the process of filing a claim. Our network of licensed attorneys is committed to consistent communication and will fight to protect your rights.

Navigating the aftermath of a holiday travel accident can be overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. We are dedicated to ensuring that you receive the support and guidance needed to seek justice for any harm caused by the negligence of others. Contact us today to begin the process. Reach us at (877) 236-2391 or through our contact form.

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