It’s that time of year again—time for food, festive parties and, for most of us, a little holiday travel. According to the United States Department of Transportation, the number of travelers taking long-distance trips increases by 54 percent during the 6-day Thanksgiving travel period alone. And of those long-distance trips, 91 percent of people travel by car.
That sheer increase in the number of cars on the road is problematic for drivers alone. But when you couple those challenges with the unique challenges and hazards caused by winter weather, traveling for the holidays can turn from exciting to stressful (and potentially very dangerous) in seconds.
If you’re heading out on a long-distance drive see family and friends for Thanksgiving or Christmas, make sure you’re prepared for potential hazards you may face ahead of time. Before hitting the road, give your car a quick once-over to ensure your vehicle is road-trip ready, and keep these important safety tips in mind for the duration of your trip.
Car Maintenance Tips for Holiday Travel
- Inspect your tires for low thread. Even if your thread is technically passable but on the lower end, driving long distances in a short amount of time can cause it to wear down faster than you expect. Have a professional look at your tires prior to your trip to ensure you don’t wind up with a flat at the worst possible time.
- Test your lights and windshield wipers. Both are critical to helping you drive safely and securely at night and through the elements. And beyond that, in many states, it’s illegal to drive without those two parts functioning properly.
- Check your heater. This step is self-explanatory, but you may be surprised how often it’s overlooked.
- Test your oil levels and get an oil change if you’re due. Driving long distances without oiling the machine (literally and figuratively) will wear on your engine and could mean trouble for you down the road.
- Keep at least a half-tank of gas at all times. In colder weathers, condensation can build up in your tank when it’s near empty, which could cause your fuel line to freeze over.
- Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow. If it’s clogged up, that could cause harmful CO2 emissions to leak into your car’s interior.
General Holiday Travel Tips
- Keep key safety essentials on hand. This time of year, weather can be unpredictable. Forecasts can help, but you may even yet run into some unexpected winter weather while en route to your final destination. Pack a shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets and warning flares, if possible, just to ensure you’re prepared. It can’t hurt to have snacks packed up as well.
- Be more vigilant and alert than ever. Traveling during this high-volume time of year can cause stress to build for even the calmest of drivers. Keep that in mind as you travel long distances to help you better predict driver behavior and prevent any possible accidents before they happen.
- Accelerate slowly and deliberately. Winter weather could cause you to lose traction on the roads, so the more control you have over your speeds, the safer you will be.
- Keep your family in the loop. Let them know the route you plan to take and when you’re due to arrive so they can ensure you arrive safely and securely. They may also be able to give you advanced notice if your route is suddenly clogged with traffic due to a wreck or otherwise.
At Thompson Buick GMC Cadillac, we want you to wring as much fun and festivity out of the holidays as possible—please use these tips when traveling, and refer to our tips for how to winterize your car for more. We want you to get where you’re going safely and securely, so you can enjoy one of the most wonderful times of the year with loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving, and safe travels to all!
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