The holiday season can be stressful enough without having to deal with an auto accident. Between crowded roadways and stormy weather, the holidays can be a dangerous time to travel. Below are some driving tips to keep you safe on the road and keep the joy in your holidays.
How to Stay Safe on the Road During the Holiday Season
1. Plan your route.
Visiting friends and family during the holidays can often mean driving on unfamiliar roads. Take some time to check your route options and choose the one that offers the highest level of confidence. If traveling at night, it may be best to avoid back roads when at all possible.
2. Get a tuneup.
It’s a good idea to give your vehicle a winterizing tuneup. This includes the following:
- Inspecting your windshield wiper blades
- Checking your tire pressure
- Having an emergency kit
- Testing your brakes
- Inspecting the treads on your tires or considering a switch to winter tires
- Test your battery
- Changing to a cold-weather oil
- Making sure your AAA or other roadside assistance service is up to date
3. Slow down and drive defensively.
This is wise to do at all times, but especially so during the holidays as roads become crowded with drivers who are in a hurry to reach their destination.
4. Get enough sleep.
It may be tempting to wake up early and complete a long drive in one day. But more than 100,000 accidents every year are attributed to drowsy driving. And with darkness setting in early during the winter months and heavy traffic extending your trip, drowsiness can set in easy during a holiday drive.
5. Stay focused.
It can be easy to lose your focus during a long drive, especially with children in tow. Supply kids with books, music, games, and snacks to keep them from distracting the driver and use a passenger to help with navigating directions.
Start your trip at Matthews Motors Goldsboro
If you need a new set of wheels to make that long holiday drive or if you want to give the perfect gift to that special someone, start your holiday shopping at Matthews Motors Goldsboro. We have a wide selection of used vehicles for sale to go along with generous financing for a customer-first experience.
Come visit us on Berkeley Blvd in Goldsboro, NC, and have a safe and happy holiday season.
