In normal times, traveling for Thanksgiving can feel like running the gauntlet. But after so many people stayed home last year due to COVID-19 concerns, Thanksgiving travel is expected to increase significantly in 2021. That means a lot of people are going to be on the road.
If you’re traveling by car this year but are feeling rusty, you’re not alone. We’ve put together a few tips and reminders to help you stay safe during one of the busiest travel times of the year.
Know When To Leave
Data from Google Travel say that the most popular travel times are the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday) and the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Equipped with this knowledge, you can make better choices about when you start your road trip. If possible, consider leaving on Tuesday, or even wait until Thanksgiving morning. If you can start your way back home on Saturday or Monday, that’s even better. If you have to travel on the busiest days, do your best to get an early start — or prepare to practice patience as you navigate traffic.
Stay Alert
The night before your drive, ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Drowsy driving can be almost as dangerous as drunk driving, so you should always be well-rested before you get behind the wheel. If you’re traveling with another adult, trade off driving duties every few hours. You should also make pit stops a priority, especially if you’re the only driver on the trip. Lastly, if you’re traveling with children, make sure that they have plenty to keep them entertained — a bored child is a distracting child.
Always Drive Sober
People tend to drink more around the holidays, and as a result, accidents usually spike. Don’t become a statistic. If you’re going to partake in adult beverages, you have plenty of options to get home or back to your hotel safely. You can designate a driver, call a ride-share service, or spend the night at your Thanksgiving host’s house. Whatever you do, don’t get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
We hope these tips will help you keep your family safe and your holiday joyous. All that’s left to do is kick back, enjoy the company, and eat some turkey!
GA Injury Advocates
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