You are not the only one who feels nervous when driving during the holidays. All Americans travel far and wide to be with people they care about. A lot of them go out on the road without a second thought to their safety. But that kind of attitude can put you in a risky situation. What is more alarming is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that several accidents are recorded in the United States during this time and many of them are preventable. With good planning and smart choices, you will be able to keep yourself and all the people on the roads safe during this season.

1. Avoiding Distraction

In the time of the holidays, when good old Siri is a tap away, it may be difficult not to be tempted to use your phone or GPS. But these types of distractions may easily blind you to the roads and endanger your passengers. Before you set off on the trip, inform your passengers to be your co-map reader, turn your phone to the Do Not Disturb mode, and keep your hands off your social media. These moves eliminate distractions and assist you in focusing entirely on driving. Use voice-activated tools if you must. It will get you to where you are going with as little disturbance to your driving as possible.

2. Minimize Driving Fatigue

Holiday travel can be exhausting, especially with back-to-back parties and long drives. If you drive when you haven’t slept for а long time, you can easily make a wrong call on the road. The likelihood of an accident really increases if you drive on without sleep. When you are on the road, take a break every two hours of your journey. Just stop stretching, drink some water, and eat a good meal. These small breaks will help refresh your mind and will enable you to arrive on time, alert and safe. Sleep well to begin with and if possible, share the driving with someone else. Your life depends upon it.

3. Resist The Impulse to Drink and Drive

There are a lot of celebrations in this period which means you may have the chance to drink. Driving on the road while drunk puts everyone at risk and can lead to serious harm. Many accidents happen during the holiday period due to drunk drivers. The general rule is clear – if you wish to drink, you must also be prepared to go out without a car. Celebrate responsibly by having а sober friend or call a taxi or an Uber. One careless decision can change lives forever.

4. Expect the Worst in Weather Conditions

Winter is the season of snowstorms and frosty rain, do not be a casual driver in such conditions. If you are going too fast or if your car is not prepared to drive in snow, you may lose control and cause accidents. Before moving out, please check the weather reports. When it becomes really bad, put off the trip if you can and travel another day. In case of traveling in such conditions, go easy on the roads to avoid skidding. Having a good distance from the car in front of you is a very smart idea in bad weather. When you allow more space, you will be able to brake more easily and avoid crashes. Always be prepared for sudden changes in weather

5. Know the Local Laws and Reporting Practices

When you travel during the holidays across state lines, you should learn how the traffic laws and reporting requirements can be different. As an example, when you are driving in Arizona, bear in mind that any major accident, particularly one that causes an injury or substantial damage, must be reported officially. In cases like this, Arizona crash reports are very important in terms of insurance and legal records. Such reports usually include valuable information such as weather conditions, fault analysis, statements from drivers involved or witnesses. Knowing how to get and complete these reports may spare you a headache in the future and guarantee that you are taking the right legal action following an accident. It is always good to have a copy of your driver’s license, registration and insurance just in case you have to report something on the spot.

Conclusion

Family time is what the holidays are supposed to be. It does not mean, however, that you should not care about your own safety and the safety of other people when you are travelling. Avoiding distraction, drinking and driving and weather awareness are vital. All these tips may prove to be lifesaving. Therefore, make your plans convenient and consider being sober before you drive. Make short stops and rest. Thoughtful planning goes а long way toward ensuring a safe trip.