Avoiding a Thanksgiving Travel Nightmare

Tips to stay safe during your Thanksgiving road trip

If you’re one of the millions of people expected to be traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, here are some tips to make it a less stressful experience.

Thanksgiving is a notoriously busy travel time, with approximately one in seven Americans traveling more than 50 miles, and 90% of them going by car. With no major storms poised to hit our area and gas prices at their lowest in years, the roads are bound to be busy for PA drivers. Holiday travel can be stressful, and can, therefore, be a dangerous time to be on the roads. Our car accident lawyers want to share some safe travel tips:

Planning ahead can make a big difference. If possible, leave before Wednesday, and consider making your return trip on a day other than Sunday. Know your route, check your GPS/map ahead of time, and have change ready for tolls to minimize distraction while you’re behind the wheel.

Even if the forecast doesn’t call for a storm, be prepared for bad weather. The weather this time of year can be unpredictable, so have some emergency supplies on hand.

Have your vehicle checked out by a mechanic before making a lengthy trip. If something goes awry while you’re making your holiday trip, it can be both stressful and dangerous, so be sure to check your tires, wiper blades, battery, lights, and fluids.

As always, whether you’re driving 100 miles or just across town, never drink and drive. If you plan to celebrate with alcohol at your Thanksgiving feast, be sure to plan a safe ride home or anticipate putting off driving until the next day.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday this week!