With conversations of holiday plans just starting, it is a good time to start considering your Thanksgiving travel plans. It is no secret that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for highway travel. Unfortunately, busy highways also mean a higher possibility of being involved in an accident. According to statistics published by AAA, 90 percent of people will travel by car to get to their annual November get-together, which equates to a lot of potential for something to go wrong. Here are a few ways you can get prepared for Thanksgiving travel.
1. Do a quick check of your car.
Make sure your car is in good working order before you leave. Check the tire pressure, fluid levels, brakes, and anything else that could lead to an accident. You might even consider getting your annual maintenance check in with a mechanic before Thanksgiving.2. Schedule a time to drive when the roads will not be as populated.
Traffic can be difficult to avoid on Thanksgiving day no matter what time you leave, but there are certain times of day when travel can be the worst. In general, you can expect the highways to be the busiest between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. If possible, leave earlier in the day to get to your destination sooner.3. Make sure you get plenty of rest before your trip.
Driving when you are tired is equivalent to driving when you are not alert, which could easily lead to an accident. Get plenty of rest before you head out and make sure you don’t head back home if you’re groggy.4. Create a trip supply box if it will be a long ride.
Many accidents occur at points where people pull back onto busy highways. Therefore, the more stops you have to make along the way, the more opportunities there can be to get in an accident. Pack a supply box with things like drinks, snacks, wet wipes, and other items you would commonly stop for.5. Eliminate distractions before you set out on the road.
Some distractions—like a fussy toddler and an overactive family dog—are difficult to avoid. Any further distractions should be tightly controlled when you’ll be on the road at the busiest time of year. Leave your cell phone alone, turn down the music, and avoid multitasking while you drive.
Thanksgiving should be all about good food, family time, and heartfelt memories. Having an accident during this time of year can dampen your holiday plans. If you have been injured in an automobile accident due to the negligence of another driver, reach out to us at Harrell & Harrell for a free consultation.
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