How to Stay Safe When Driving Over Thanksgiving

While you prepare the family for a holiday getaway, read up on these safe driving tips.  

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means that millions of Americans are getting ready to travel to their holiday destination. Whether you’re driving across town, state, or the country, it is likely you’ll be hopping in a car to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family. As we all know, the roads over the Thanksgiving period can be chaotic. To help, we’ve compiled a few tips to keep your journey a safe one.

Leave early. Wednesday and Sunday are the busiest days to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday. If you have a few extra vacation days, consider starting your Thanksgiving travel early on Monday or Tuesday. If your days aren’t flexible, consider leaving early Wednesday morning or even Tuesday night to avoid the rush of traffic.

Get your vehicle ready. If you’re going to be clocking some miles, you will want to be sure your vehicle is ready for the journey. Inspect the tires, fluids, lights, wiper blades, brakes, and engine to be sure that your car is in good condition. Top up the fluids and air pressure in the tires as needed.

Avoid distracted driving. The kids may be rowdy in the back and your partner may be flustered over remembering everything for the trip, but getting distracted by people, your phone, or the radio is a recipe for disaster. Always remain attentive and alert when driving.

Be patient. The roads are going to be busy whatever time you leave, so it’s worth making sure you’re calm and collected before setting off. Avoid getting frustrated and making dangerous lane changes, especially when driving in heavy traffic. Be extra patient with trucks and senior drivers, giving them plenty of room.

Review your insurance. Before you set off, it’s a good idea to go over your car insurance policy and make sure you understand the ins and outs of your coverage. Do you need to increase the limits? Should you add on Roadside Assistance? Your insurer will be able to help.

For the quality auto insurance that can see you through the Thanksgiving period and beyond, rely on the team at Perry & Carroll. We serve New York motorists with quality insurance policies that suit their needs! Contact us today to get started.