Thanksgiving Day ushers in one of the busiest travel migrations of the year in the United States. It’s estimated that more than 40 million Americans will journey 50 or more miles away from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. And 90 percent of those travelers are expected to take to highways and freeways to celebrate this uniquely American holiday.
Here are are some important travel safety tips for families embarking on a vehicular journey to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.
A week or two before your planned departure, schedule time for an inspection of your vehicle. Beyond making sure your car is mechanically ready for a road trip, you’ll want to have both your tire pressure and the depth of the remaining tread on your tires checked. Do your tires need to be replaced in the next several months? It may be wise to replace them even sooner, particularly if you’re planning on traveling long distances or you live in an area that has rainy or snowy winters.
Before you get started on your trip, it’s also a good idea to have an emergency roadside kit stowed away. These generally include jumper cables, roadside flares, and reflective warning triangles. It’s also a good idea to pack a plentiful supply of non-perishable snacks, and warm blankets.
Traveling with children? It’s estimated that as many as 80 percent of car seats may not be properly installed. Before you start a road trip, have your seat inspected to make sure it’s safe. Find a station near you at seatcheck.org or www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Don’t forget that all children under the age of13 should ride in the backseat.
During your trip, when it’s time to pull over and take a break, you may want to take a few minutes to recharge your cell phone. Another option is to plug your phone into your car’s cigarette lighter port while you drive so that if there is an emergency, you’ll be able to use your phone to call for help. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!
