Driving Safe in the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a festive time filled with friends, family, and parties.  It is also filled with lots of driving.  The American Automobile Association estimates that almost 90 percent of travelers, which is over 41 million people, will take a road trip sometime over the holiday season.  With all of these people on the road driving to places that are not part of their normal routine, safety is paramount during this time.  Below are some tips for holiday driving aimed at helping you and your passengers reach your destination safely.

• Before leaving for any long trip, it is very important to make sure your vehicle is ready to travel.  Take your car in for service to have the tires, oil level, and battery checked, as this will help you avoid an unexpected breakdown on the road.  Be sure to have your windshield wipers replaced while you are there as well, as these are key to visibility should you get caught in a rain or snowstorm.
• Map your route out in advance.  Even if you plan to use a GPS on your journey, these devices are not perfect and can go offline on occasion. It is best to have a map on hand as a back-up plan.
• Make sure you have a cell phone and a charger with you at all times in the car, so you have the ability to call roadside assistance, the police, or an ambulance if you need help.
• If you are heading to a party and plan to drink alcohol while you are there, have a plan in advance.  Remember that depending on your body weight, drinking just one drink per hour is enough to put you above the legal limit for driving at .08 blood alcohol level.  If you plan to drive yourself home, the safest thing to do is to avoid alcohol altogether.  As a backup plan, keep the phone number of a local cab company on hand in case you need it.