There’s no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic is already impacting our holiday plans. With cases on the rise nationwide and many families concerned about the rapidly spreading virus, it makes sense that you might be rethinking your traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas plans.
But for some, holiday travel will still play a role this year. Whether you’re headed up to your secluded cabin or you’ll be taking a safe road trip while the kids are off from school, you may still need to spend some time on the road with the whole family in tow. And while you must be accustomed to playing chauffeur on a regular basis, taking a longer trip, especially with young children, can bring about new challenges — both for your patience and for everyone’s safety. To ensure your holiday travel plans aren’t interrupted due to a collision or other road hazard, here are just a few tips that can keep your loved ones safe while you’re at the wheel this holiday.
Put Distractions Away
Distracted driving is incredibly common, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. Although a first-time DUI offense in Maryland can result in a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, distracted driving behaviors can come with harsh penalties of their own. And if you’re traveling through a different state, you might not even know what those penalties are. No matter how far you have to drive, make a commitment to keeping distractions to an absolute minimum. That means putting away all cell phones, refraining from eating and drinking while driving, and not touching the stereo knobs while your vehicle is in motion.
Even behaviors that don’t directly involve your physical actions can present a distraction. The average four-year-old child asks around 437 questions a day — and those might well include “are we there yet?” Talk to your kids about staying calm while they’re in the backseat and remind them to use their indoor voices while you’re on the road. Distractions that emanate from the backseat can be just as hazardous as the actions you perform yourself.
Always Wear a Seatbelt
While this should go without saying, it’s essential that every person in your vehicle wears their seatbelt at all times. We may not know how heavy traffic will be for the 2020 holidays, but we do know that accidents tend to be more common around this time of year. And since speeding tickets actually went up during the early part of the pandemic due to the decreased number of cars on the roads, it’s clear that light traffic doesn’t necessarily mean the streets are safer. It’s essential that all safety precautions are taken — and that starts with wearing a seatbelt. In addition, children under the age of 12 should always ride in the backseat, each with their own belt.
Watch Out For Wildlife and Weather
Wildlife tends to be very active during this time of year. Because they’re so busy preparing for winter, they might be a bit bolder (and more distracted) than they might under other circumstances. Deer, squirrels, and other creatures will probably be roaming about. So if you’re in an area that’s wooded or you see signs that indicate the presence of animal crossings, you’ll want to slow down. Although 36 million Americans suffer from some degree of hearing loss, your eyes will probably be your best sense to rely on when wild animals are around.
Inclement weather can also be a concern. Rain, snow, and ice can make roadways slick, so take care to reduce your speed and proceed with caution if you find yourself in the middle of a storm. Take your car to an auto service facility for detailing and checkup to ensure that your car’s headlights, brakes, and windshield wipers are in good working order before you set out on your trip, too. Make sure as well to inspect your car’s air conditioning system with the help of a professional car air conditioning service, too.
It’s clear that this holiday season is going to look a bit different from years past. But you may still have plans to travel with your loved ones in some capacity over the next couple of months. If you do, make sure to take all safety precautions — and follow all COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations — to ensure your holiday is a happy one.
