THANKSGIVING SAFETY TIPS: BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD
The Thanksgiving
holidays—especially the Wednesday before Turkey Day and the Sunday after—are
among the busiest travel days of the year. Plan ahead so traffic, weather, and
stress don’t gobble away your thanksgiving.
It’s projected that about
two-thirds of Americans will travel somewhere by car during the upcoming day of
thanks. Of those, more than half will travel over a hundred miles, with 214
miles being the average for long-distance trips.
Cram that much traffic onto
already overburdened highways such as the I-95 corridor on the East Coast, I-5
on the West Coast, and any number of interstates, highways, and byways in
between and you get traffic jams, weary and distracted drivers, crowded rest
areas, and plenty of long lines at restrooms and restaurants.How to survive it all?
Maintain
your car, maintain your stamina, and maintain your passengers.
Maintain
Your Car
Even if you successfully
maintain your car by the book, it pays to spend a little extra time kicking the
tires before undertaking a long holiday trip. Oftentimes, it’s the easiest car
maintenance tasks which you forget to do that create significant headaches on
holiday trips. So head off problems before they occur by checking these simple
things.
• Tires.
There are two things to check here, tire pressure and tread wear. Tire pressure
should be inspected with a tire pressure gauge, and tires should be inflated to
your manufacturer’s specifications. As for tread wear, the penny test will do.
Insert a penny, Lincoln Memorial down, into the treads of your car. So long as
the top of the memorial is covered by the tread, you are safe to travel.
Improperly inflated tires, or tires beyond their tread life, significantly
reduce handling, especially in wet weather.
• Fluids
(Part I). Putting an eyeball on these five fluid levels before leaving home for
the holidays can save you stress and repair bills. In no particular order,
check: your oil level, the transmission fluid, your coolant level, the brake
fluid, and your power-steering fluid. It takes ten minutes, tops.
• Fluids
(Part II). You never know what type of weather you will face during November.
From dust to snowstorms and everything in between, Thanksgiving weather can be
highly unpredictable. In any conditions, wiper fluid is your best friend. It
keeps your field of vision clear, a plus at anytime of the day or night.
• Lights.
Make sure your signals, brake lights, and headlamps work. If not, have them
replaced.
• Gasoline.
Before leaving the house, make sure the gauge shows as full. While in transit,
re-fuel as your tank nears the half-full line. Nothing is more frustrating— and
dangerous — than sitting on the side of the road out of gas, needing to walk to
the local station.
• Winterize
Your Car. If you know that you might be facing snow or extremely cold
conditions during your holiday drive, prepare your car for winter before you
leave. In particular, check that you have sufficient antifreeze and are using
the correct type for the climate you will be driving in.
• Emergency
Preparedness Kit. Ok, this isn’t technically car maintenance, but an emergency
preparedness kit should be ready and available when you pull out of the
driveway to begin your trip. Need to build one? The Red Cross provides a good
list of items.
Once
in a driving groove, many feel compelled to keep going. Especially during
holiday time, it makes sense to avoid this temptation and keep yourself fresh.
Here are a few guidelines.
• Rest
before leaving. Everyone wants to get to the Thanksgiving table, but don’t
abandon a good night’s rest in order to do so. Heavy traffic requires greater
attention to driving and is more physically demanding. Be well rested before
you start.
• Plan appropriately.
Little is more frustrating than sitting in traffic. Ease the tension by
allowing yourself sufficient time to make your trip. With all those cars on the
road, there are sure to be delays. Build that time into your schedule.
• Take
breaks. A good rule of thumb is stopping every 100 miles to stretch your legs,
breathe some fresh air, and grab a refreshing drink. If that beverage includes
caffeine, be careful not to over-caffeinate. That initial jolt to your system
comes with a caffeine let-down that can prove detrimental down the road.
• Switch
drivers if possible. Are there are multiple drivers in the car? Then share the
fun and allow them to take the wheel. The break will do you good, and possibly
add to their enjoyment of the journey.
Maintain
Your Passengers
Even
for those who love to travel, long trips can become monotonous. Throw in
traffic, and you can quickly find yourself with a surly crew on your hands.
Help your passengers out with the following:
• For children.
Don’t forget to pack snacks and water — and plenty of them. Small snacks along
the way will limit the number of times you have to fend off requests to stop
and eat. A good collection of their favorite DVDs are also helpful to keep them
occupied. If you don’t have an entertainment system in your car, you can find a
portable one at any electronics store. Finally, for the younger set, crayons,
coloring books, and puzzles remain solid go-to options.
• For pets.
Whether you’re traveling with Fido the dog or Fluffy the cat, be prepared.
First and foremost, provide them a secure, safe travel space. Travel kennels
are ideal, as a suddenly startled pet can become a major distraction. Also
bring along plenty of food and water (along with travel bowls), a leash for
walking at rest areas, and baggies for cleaning up after your pet at rest
stops.
• For
adults. Big folks like snacks and drinks, too. Even a movie isn’t a bad idea.
But mainly, be open to their needs. The occasional side-trip can strengthen
bonds, give you a well-needed rest, and make for many years of happy memories.
And Don’t Forget …
… maps and GPS. Whether you’re
taking a trip you’ve made a hundred times before, or are going someplace new,
maps and GPS are a good idea. On treks you’re familiar with, a good GPS system
can provide alternates routes should you hit unexpected traffic. Higher end
models will keep you abreast of current road conditions ensuring your alternate
route isn’t as frustrating as the one you just left. And on trips not
well-known, maps and a GPS can ensure you stay on course.
Finally, brush up on how to
handle your car in unexpected situations. A refresher course on defensive
driving, handling your car in bad weather, and what to do in emergency
situations will probably not be needed as your drive. But if it is, it’s there
and fresh in your mind.
Holiday trips needn’t be a
burden, and can be the source of many great memories. Prepare for the former:
maintain, maintain, and maintain.
By Martin Davis