Family Safety Tip: Christmas Road Trip

Christmas and holiday season are busy times on the nation’s highways. Students are leaving campuses in droves to get back home for the long anticipated winter break. Business travelers are doing their best to gettheir travel in and done for the year. Families are making plans to join loved ones, or hitting the road for a Christmas holiday getaway.Whatever your reason for hitting the road this Christmas holiday season, here are the Top Ten Safety Tips for Christmas Travel:

1. Have an itinerary. To keep safe this Christmas holiday season, make sure you write up an itinerary and share it with others, particularly noting your estimated time of departure and arrival. Check out Trip It, a free, online trip planner and itinerary website for organizing vacations, road trips, group or business travel.

2. Leave early. The early bird gets the worm, and this applies to road trips. Don’t wait until the last minute to leave when you know you have a long drive ahead.

3. Take breaks every 2-3 hours (or less). If you’re traveling alone or with family, make sure you make periodic stops along the way to stay alert and stretch. Christmas holiday season means busy roads and distractions. Taking a break from driving every so often will help you manage your stress and that of your passengers.

4. Keep your cell phone charged and handy. Whenever you travel, especially during the busy Christmas holiday season, make sure your cell phone is charged and ready to go for your trip. If driving, make sure you check in during stops along the way with friends and loved ones at your destination. Of course, don’t use your cell phone while driving during your Christmas holiday road trip. According to the National Safety Council, more than 270 million people have cell phones in the United States today. Talking on the cell phone while driving increases your crash risk fourfold.

5. Keep vehicle locked and windows up. No matter where you are, at home or away, it’s important to keep your vehicle locked and your windows closed. This is especially important during the busy Christmas holidaytravel season. If your vehicle is approached at a rest stop or on the side of the road, it’s still vital that you keep your vehicle locked and windows up.

6. Keep map, GPS and directions handy. No need to get lost in transit this Christmas holiday travel season. Make sure you map out your trip in advance of departure, and keep this material close by during the drive. It’s also helpful to think about alternative routes if you expect to hit traffic or construction delays.

7. Stick to main roads and highways. As much as possible, stay on well-lit main roads and highways. Don’t take unnecessary chances that may result in getting lost en route. This is especially important when travelling alone or with children. Stay on the main road and you’ll be sure to have lots of company during your trip.

8. Don’t advertise your trip or valuables. Make sure you stow your bags, maps, directions and GPS. Don’t give anyone the impression that you are unfamiliar with the terrain or roads. Keep valuables and other property out of sight, even when parked.

9. Plan for flat tire or car trouble. Make sure you review your insurances, road side assistance, AAA and other automobile club accounts and rules in advance of your trip. 51 million Americans belong to AAA, one of the largest and oldest automobile clubs in the United States. Keep registration, insurance, information on your auto bluc or roadside assistance in your glove box during the trip. Make sure you have an Emergency kit in the car, stocked with items that may help you in the event of a breakdown. When traveling with children this busy Christmas season, make sure you bring along age-appropriate games and cards in the event that you need to keep the kids occupied while you await roadside assistance.

10. First aid and other gear. When traveling in northern climates, make sure you bring provisions, like food and water, blankets and a first aid kit in the event of severe weather. Make sure you bring a flashlight and flares, and other safety gear. Planning ahead during the busy Christmas travel season will help you deal with harsh weather, slick roads, and anything else that might happen along the way.

ResourcesRoad Safety www.roadsafety.com

National Safety Council www.nsc.org

American Automobile Association www.aaa.com

Source:  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2249419/top_ten_safety_tips_for_christmas_travel.html?cat=16