Holiday travelers are at a higher risk for accidents. People leave on long trips on the last workday before the holiday – increasing the potential for fatigue. Other factors also contribute to increased risk on the highways during the holiday season when so many drivers are making long trips to visit family and friends in what can be a stressful time. Here are some tips that will help you arrive at your destination safely:
l Plan your route in advance and take along a map so you are prepared if you need to take a detour or alternate route due to road conditions or accidents.
l Plan enough time for your trip. Take break and refueling times into account when estimating the length of your journey. Leave on time so you aren’t stressed about arriving late.
l Don’t leave on a long trip immediately after eating a large meal and of course, never drink and drive.
l Plan enough sleep prior to departing (make sure to pack well in advance so you don’t stay up late preparing for the trip).
l Check weather conditions when planning the trip and again before departing. Road conditions are often available through weather channels, automated phone messages, news, or websites. Find out the telephone numbers to call for information about the highways you will be traveling on. Call in advance and take the number with you to check updates (see below for suggested resources).
l Make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip. Check:
§ All fluids and antifreeze levels
§ Tire condition, wear and air pressure
§ Battery & wiring
§ Wiper fluid level and wiper blade condition
§ Condition of snow chains, wheel wrench, tire jack, battery cables and other auxiliary equipment.
§ All lights (operational and lenses clean and free of mud).
l Be prepared. Take along emergency equipment, especially if winter driving conditions are anticipated:
§ Flares
§ Working flashlight (and spare batteries)
§ Gloves, boots, hat, coat and blanket
§ Jumper cables (and eye goggles)
§ Extra wiper fluid
§ Water
§ First Aid kit
§ Non-perishable food – (e.g., canned nuts, energy bars, dried fruits)
§ Snow brush, scraper and snow shovel
§ Bag of kitty litter or 2 pieces of burlap for extra traction
§ Charged cell phone (invest in a car lighter charger and hands free headset)
l Always leave enough room between you and the car ahead of you. Use the two-second rule (the National Safety Council is recommending 3 seconds). After the vehicle ahead of you passes a stationary object, begin counting (i.e., one thousand one, one thousand two). If you reached the object before you counted to two, you are following too close. Increase this time for bad weather conditions (and double these distances when following motorcycles).
l Scan the road and the sides of the road well ahead of you. Scan the area 12 seconds ahead of you so you have that much more time to react to unexpected conditions (e.g., deer, falling rocks, debris on the road, unexpected breaking cars, etc.).
l Remember to stop for breaks and stretch to reduce fatigue. If you find yourself getting sleepy, don’t risk it. Ask someone else to relieve you, or stop and rest. Your family and friends would rather see you late than not at all!
Car Concerns Can Be Heard Every Saturday & Sunday On WNOX-FM 100.3 and The Horne Radio Network. The Saturday Show Is Streamed Over The Internet Every Saturday From 1-3 P.M. (est). Go to: www.carconcerns.com
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