Quick Tips to Stay Safe During Holiday Travel

November 22, 2011 4:19 pm CT

With the holiday season quickly approaching, there’s undoubtedly going to be plenty of road traveling going on as families get together during this special time of the year. According to AAA, 42.5 million people will travel 50 miles or more during Thanksgiving weekend, and more people on the road can mean more potential for accidents to happen, especially now that the weather is starting to get colder.

Keeping yourself safe on the road is pretty simple, though. Check out some of our handy tips below:

• Keep your fuel tank at least half full to prevent fuel line freeze-ups in cold weather climates.
• Have your battery and coolant system checked. Older batteries and weak antifreeze might not provide the protection and functionality in the cold weather, and worse, can cause damage to your vehicle when it’s not running.
• Understand how anti-lock brakes work. Do not pump your brakes. Instead, press firmly on the brake pedal when braking and let the system do the work to stop your car.
• Traction mats, kitty litter or sand can be used to improve traction on icy surfaces.
• Check your tires on a regular basis. Bald tires significantly reduce your traction on wet and snowy roadways.

Do you have any tips for driving in inclement weather? Share them in the comments and we’ll add them to our list!