Thanksgiving marks the official beginning of the holiday travel season. Thanksgiving weekend ranks as one of the busiest holidays for travel and the best holiday for enjoying the beautiful foliage along the way. Unfortunately, it ranked #5 for driving deaths and #6 for alcohol-impaired accidents among holidays in 2019 and #10 for vehicle thefts in 2020.
This time of the year, people are stressed out and in a hurry, but that’s no excuse for speeding, texting or touching up hair or make-up while driving. If alcohol is involved with your plans, don’t drink and drive! Below are some tips to help make your Thanksgiving vacation as safe as possible on the road.
- Make sure your vehicle is in good condition for a road trip.
- Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them – resources are available at MyCarDoesWhat.org.
- Fix recalls immediately, and find out if your vehicle is impacted by using ChecktoProtect.org.
- Make sure you understand your rental car coverages on your personal auto policy and the additional coverages that you purchase at the rental car company.
- Be weather wise, know the weather forecast during your travel.
- Learn the weather/climate risks for the area you are traveling to and know what to do before, during and after such events.
- Stay off the road during and after a winter storm.
- During the winter, keep the proper emergency winter road tools in the trunk of your vehicle such as an ice scraper, shovel, gloves, blanket, emergency flares or reflectors, rock salt, first aid kit, extra windshield washer, etc.
- Get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue. Make frequent stops. Rotate drivers during long trips. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
- Share your travel plans with a family member or friend.
- As the sun starts to set earlier in the day this time of year, be more aware of pedestrians crossing the streets in the evening.
- Buckle up.
- Leave early, planning ahead for heavy traffic.
- Practice defensive driving.
- Drive attentively, avoiding distractions. Thousands have died in crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phone away when you drive. People cling to the “not-me” mentality. However, multitasking is a myth. The brain cannot handle two thinking tasks at once. For example, how many exits have you missed while talking on the phone?
- Shopping malls and stores will be busy this time of year. Drivers are very likely to make calls, text and use social media apps while driving through parking lots, making it more dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.
- Slow down. Speeding is a factor in more than 25% of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit and do not exceed it. Be sure to pay attention to those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
- Stay engaged in teens’ driving habits with tips from DriveitHOME.org.
- Teens and inexperienced drivers should avoid driving too late in the day or in poor conditions, such as winter weather.
- Designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation.
- Recognize the dangers of drugged driving, including impairment from cannabis, opioids and other substances.
- If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.
- Review your auto insurance coverages and limits to ensure you have the coverage you need.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, if you have a disaster, auto insurance can help protect you from financial ruin. A standard personal auto insurance policy covers bodily and property damage liability. Additional coverages, such as medical payments, collision, comprehensive and uninsured driver can also be added, as well as endorsements, such as roadside assistance and rental car coverage. Review your auto insurance policy with your agent to ensure you’re properly covered this holiday season.
How can I buy car insurance in Oklahoma?
There are two easy ways to get a quote or request more information for auto insurance in Oklahoma:
- Call/Text (405) 605-9891
- Email jp@schererinsurance.com
References: