The holiday season is upon us once again. Besides being a time to express our gratitude and thankfulness, it is also a time for our friends and families to celebrate. Shopping, parties, parades, turkey, and football (of course) are all staples of the holiday season.

Travel is another staple of the holiday season.  America’s roadways are busiest during the holiday season. Unfortunately, the increased number of motorists on the road also leads to an increased number of traffic-related fatalities and injuries.  Drivers can protect themselves and their passengers by following these holiday driving tips.

Preparation
Before making a trip, make sure that your vehicle is ready for travel.  Assess your vehicle’s oil, fluids, wiper blades, tire tread and pressure, lights and signals, etc.  Keep a set of jumper cables, a blanket, flares, and a first aid kit in your vehicle in the event of an emergency.

Time   
Give yourself adequate time to get to your destination. Countless accidents happen because people are rushing to their destination.  Avoid peak travel times if at all possible.

Flexibility  
Be flexible in setting your travel plans.  The weather can cause havoc on the roadways and it is better to adjust your travel plans than to drive through dangerous weather.  

Rest   
Make sure that you are adequately rested before travelling. A tired driver is a dangerous driver. To stay fresh and alert, take plenty of breaks during the trip.  Fresh air, coffee and some food go a long way to keeping you fresh and alert.  

Buckle Up:    
Make sure that you and your passengers are properly restrained while in the vehicle.  Pay particular attention to your children, making sure that car seats are safely secured and anchored.

Slow Down   
Keep your speed down and don’t rush. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time and distance to react to the traffic on the roadways.

Cell Phone  
Eliminating distractions is critical for safe driving and there is no more distracting device than the cell phone.  Put the cell phone down.  If you absolutely need to make or receive a phone call, use a Bluetooth headset.

Alcohol   
Don’t drink and drive. If you plan to drink, make sure you have a designated driver.  

Packing  
Keep your sight lines clear.  Avoid placing luggage, packages, and gifts such that they would obstruct your visibility.

Holiday travel requires drivers to be more vigilant than ever.  Keep your friends and family safe this year by following these simple safety tips.

Author: Sean Quinn is a Practicing personal injury lawyer at the Philadelphia law firm, Sheridan & Murray.