With the holidays comes traveling. Whether you are traveling to the other side of town or across the country, here are some safety tips to remember.
Pre-trip preparations:
Have your vehicle serviced and insure they top off all fluids and check your tires for wear and tear.
Purchase an Emergency Roadside Kit. Don't cheap out as some of the higher value ones include a power pack and make for a handy place to store extra roadside supplies. Include enough emergency blankets for the entire family to retain body heat.
Invest in several camping lanterns, along with a battery charging pack that is kept inside the warmth of the vehicle.
Pack extra snacks and water, along with blankets.
Have a baby or children?
Pack more than you will need on formula, diapers, and warm clothing.
Avoid bundling babies up like a burrito in their car seat. Warmly dress your baby and use a heavier blanket to cover the car seat and/or tuck in around the baby.
If you have an older child, they are able to keep a physical eye on the baby while entertaining themselves, younger children, and each other.
Pre-plan your trip and let your destination know what it is.
Stay current with weather updates. Video gatherings are the safer option when weather is not.
On the road safety:
Slow Down when roads are wet. Use even more caution when temperatures start to drop and ice forms especially when crossing bridges as they freeze faster than the road.
Take frequent breaks. Use that time to update family and friends where you are. Winter travel and cellphone use while driving increases the chance of landing in a ditch, or worse.
Top off that gas tank or charge your vehicle all the way during each stop! Battery life is reduced in colder temperatures.
Heed travel advisories and use sound judgement. It is better to be stuck at a gas station with strangers than to be stuck on the road by yourself.
Should your vehicle start to slide:
Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return.
As it does, steer in the direction you want to go.
Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
Should your vehicle hydroplane:
Avoid the urge to slam on your brakes and ease your foot off the gas pedal.
Use a light pumping action on the brake pedal, if needed.
Turn your steering wheel in the direction your vehicle is going, then slowly turn it back to realign your tires.
What to do when you breakdown, or hit that icy patch and land in a ditch:
Stay with your vehicle! Many winter travel deaths occur when people leave their vehicle to walk 'just up the highway' for help.
Conserve your gas by running the vehicle intermittently.
Have a cellphone? Call emergency services and let them know where you are. They will mark your location and send help as soon as possible. Also call a loved one or friend with your location, this adds a bonus layer of location protection.
Make your vehicle visible. Invest in battery operated lanterns that have a flashing light feature. Place on the outside of your vehicle and leave your dome light on or use extra lanterns to light up the interior of the vehicle.
If snow is accumulating, take time to step outside and clear your exhaust pipe to avoid carbon monoxide build up inside the car along with snow from the window facing oncoming traffic.
Be that good neighbor and check on those who are on the side of the road with hazards on or are in a ditch, even if that is just a phone call to emergency services with the vehicle's description and location!
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I'm Draco ClyMat, signing off and wishing you happy and safe holidays!