Thanksgiving is right around the corner and our mouths are already salivating for turkey and mashed potatoes. With food and family also comes the travel to get to your Thanksgiving destination. This year more than 53.4 million people are expected to travel for Thanksgiving in 2021, signaling the highest single-year increase since 2005. With more people on the road, the likelihood of an accident increases. Here, Doug Yates Towing & Recovery discusses a few travel tips to prepare you for thanksgiving travel.
The first thing you should do before holiday travel is checking your tire pressure, fluid levels and lights. A blown-out tire or faulty engine can cause major delays during Thanksgiving travel. There may be other maintenance your vehicle is due for, which you should consider completing before your trip. A well-tuned vehicle is a good way to prevent breakdowns and auto accidents.
Travel on the least busy days, if possible. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are expected to be the busiest. The days surrounding will have higher traffic volume. Remember to be patient as everyone tries to get to their holiday destinations. If you can extend your holiday plans then try and travel on off days to reduce the possibility of an accident.
Driving distracted has gotten out of hand the last several years. GPS devices, smartphones and the radio can be major distractions while trying to navigate through busy traffic. Bring your phone or technology with you, but remember to have a passenger navigate. In some cases, it is even advised to pull over to use these devices to avoid distracted driving.
Plan to travel when you will be awake, alert and focused. Traveling late at night or after a night of missed sleep can have very bad outcomes. Drowsy driving is dangerous, and you should avoid it as best you can. Make sure you are ready for the travel ahead as roads and highways will be busier than normal during Thanksgiving.
Make sure everyone is buckled up. Seatbelts should be buckled in before you begin driving. These safety devices have been shown time and time again to prevent serious injuries and death in the event of an accident.
Stock your car with snacks, water and first aid. In the event you break down or otherwise become stranded, having calories and water will keep you and your passengers energized and hydrated as you wait for help.
Doug Yates Towing and Recovery is located in the city limits of Chattanooga, one of Tennessee’s most vibrant business communities. Since 1946 it has been the company’s mission to conduct business with integrity and professionalism in all phases of day-to-day services. We offer 24/7 towing and recovery services for all motorists and vehicle types. Our team of tow truck technicians will help get your vehicle wherever it needs to be safely and securely. You can count on us for all your towing & recovery needs. Give us a call today!
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