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Holiday Travel Safety Tips
From Staff Reports
Christmas is the season of sharing, caring and spending time with your family and friends. But in addition to the usual stresses of the holidays comes the added load of traffic woes. It may seem obvious, but some planning and preparation before you set out for your holidays gives you a better chance of enjoying a safe drive.
Dallas Regional Medical Center, as a member in good standing with the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council and Texas EMS Trauma and Acute Care Foundation, is reminding people this holiday season about a few simple tips that will help them arrive at their holiday destinations safely.
Safety Tip #1: Allow extra time in your schedule. Bad traffic can often be avoided with a little preparation. The heaviest travel occurs the days immediately before and after Christmas and New Year's Day. Consider taking an extra day off so that you aren't stuck in the pack.
Safety Tip #3: Think before you drive. To understand holiday driving conditions, think of the way people act outside of their cars in this time of year. Many are worried, preoccupied, hurried, distracted, and all those states of mind that make them easily agitated and less careful. On the road, this means that you should be more vigilant than usual, give people more distance, and be forgiving when someone does something rash or absent-minded. Avoid confrontations, and try not to let other drivers bring you out of the happy holiday zone.
Safety Tip #4: Buckle up! During the holiday months, people travel more than ever. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding all of us to play it safe this holiday season and buckle up - not only is it the law; it could help save your life. This is true whether you are flying or driving. Parents often will let their children take their seat belts off to sleep. Always stay buckled up!
Safety Tip #5: “Are we there yet?” If you have children, it's also a good idea to pack some “boredom beaters” for the trip. That way you'll avoid that old familiar cry from the back seat. Try: a portable music player with head phones; games, puzzles and drawing books; toys for younger children; small computer games; extra snacks and water; or a small, cuddly blanket in case your child feels like having a nap – but remember to ensure children are always restrained properly.
Safety Tip #6: Carry equipment for on-the-road emergencies. If you're traveling in bad weather, you'll want to prepare for problems by packing flares, blankets, a first-aid kit, flashlight, water, and snacks. Also remember to pack the cell phone and car charger for emergencies. In the event that you do need to use your cell phone, leave the calling to one of your passengers or pull off to the side of the road to make the call.
Safety Tip #7: Watch your speed. During peak holiday periods it's important to be patient, as there is likely to be extra traffic on the road. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination. It's better to arrive safely and late than not at all. Don't be tempted to speed to catch up on any lost time. Remember the faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop. It's simply not worth the risk.
Safety Tip #8: Take breaks. It is also important not to drive while you are tired. Driving while tired accounts for one in six crashes that result in serious injury or death. Some rules for survival: share the driving if possible; as soon as you feel tired, stop and have a break; take a 15-minute break every two hours to rest your eyes and refresh yourself; and don’t drive for more than 8–10 hours in a day.
Safety Tip #9: Do not binge eat. There will probably be enough food to go around for seconds, thirds… Over indulging in holiday treats can make you feel uncomfortable and groggy for the ride home; not to mention that turkey has a natural sedative called L-tryptophan which can make you sleepy. If you have a long journey ahead, consider cutting back on the turkey and maybe have a cup of coffee or a caffeinated soda to help perk you up for the trip home.
Safety Tip # 10: Do not drink and drive. When attending a party, always designate a non-drinking driver. If you are the host of a holiday gathering, be sure there are non-alcoholic beverages available for guests who are driving. In addition, if you or a loved one has had too much to drink, call a cab or stay at a friend or relative’s house. It will be one of the best decisions you will ever make.
Safety Tip #11: Child safety: The National SAFEKIDS Campaign recommends when visiting other people’s homes, remember that their homes may not be child-proofed. When arriving at a party or friend’s house, look around to make sure that there are no obvious hazards to your child.
Safety Tip #12: The return trip. You've had a great break, you're relaxed and you're happy. Follow these tips to help ensure you arrive home from your holiday safe and happy. After all, the only regret you want to have after your holiday is that it went too quickly.
DRMC wishes everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.
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