Tips for Joyful and Safe Holiday Travel

Whether you’re commuting for work, hitting the road for a holiday road trip or catching a flight to see family and friends that live far away, traveling during the holiday season is full of potential hazards.

In 2023, 55.4 million people were expected to travel over Thanksgiving weekend alone, according to AAA. Read on to find practical tips to help you make your way through the seasonal commute, long road travels and the skies. Keep your holiday travel a smooth and safe experience, so you can focus on what’s important—making memories with family and friends.

On a Long Car Ride? Avoid Injuries With These 4 Tips for a Safe Trip

Before any of the winter holidays, it’s a given that family and friends will be traveling long distances to see each other. In fact, about 91% of long distance holiday travel is taken by personal vehicles. Here are 4 precautions to take to make sure you’ll avoid a personal injury on your journey.

1. As usual, drive safely. It may seem obvious to take your time and obey the rules of the road, but during the holiday season, roads becoming even busier as millions of travelers hit the road. Holiday travel is associated with a higher risk of accidents, so keep your eyes on the road and two hands on the wheel while minimizing distractions.

2. Plan for winter conditions. Snow and ice can make winter roads unpredictable. Before you leave the driveway, make sure you’ve kept up with proper maintenance on your vehicle to reduce the risk of accidents. While you’re at it, stock your car’s emergency kit with blankets, first aid supplies, and non-perishable food.

3. Plan to avoid traffic. Traveling during is a great way to avoid heavy holiday travel traffic, since you’ll be on the move when others aren’t. Specifically, try to drive through cities before 2 p.m. The worst hours to be stuck on the road are between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

4. Buckle up for safety. Wearing your seatbelt is one of the best defenses against injuries or fatalities during a holiday road trip. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seatbelts saved over 14,955 lives in 2017.

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Up, Up, and Away: Stay Safe During Holiday Air Travel

Everyone knows how hectic a trip to the airport can be during high traffic flight times—and before any winter holiday is definitely busy, but don’t let that affect your safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasizes the importance of following flight attendants’ instructions and locating the nearest emergency exits. You need to know what to do in an emergency. Before the plane leaves is the time to learn it.

Flights are long, tedious and require a lot of sitting. Moving your legs and feet while seated can help prevent blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis, a condition associated with long flights. In addition, because of the high altitude and reduced oxygen and humidity, flights can actually dehydrate you. Drink water and avoid caffeine and alcohol while flying to combat the effects of dehydration.

If you have a specific medical condition, consult your doctor before flying. Carry necessary medications and medical records, just in case. Be prepared for any situation, even at 30,000 feet.

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The Holiday Season, Your Commute and Avoiding Car Accidents

In between the long car rides and flights, there’s still a work week. Be sure you’re considering the holiday season with your daily commute. Whether you work at a job site or an office, there are changes that will affect your drive in.

Check public transportation schedules. The MBTA will close during holidays and during other observed days. Whether you’re using the T in Boston, or plan on using public transportation somewhere else, don’t assume the schedule will be the same this time of year. Look it up!

Allow for extra time. With more cars, comes more slowdowns. Be prepared for your commute to take a little longer. If you can, leave a little earlier, and be sure to have the “I’ll get there when I get there” attitude.

Consider working from home. If your employer allows it, avoid holiday traffic all together by working from home during the holiday season.

Don’t drink and drive. The night before Thanksgiving is statistically the night of the year with the most drunk drivers. But the trend continues throughout the weekend. According to Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers, the weekend immediately after Thanksgiving is the most dangerous of the year. Be careful on the road around Thanksgiving and all other winter holidays, and of course, don’t drink and drive.

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Stay Safe on the Roads and Know We’re Here to Help

During the holiday season you want to be spending time with family and friends, so make sure you’re staying safe while traveling. But if something happens, know that the experienced personal injury lawyers at Keches Law Group are here to help.

Contact us today with any questions or to request a free case review.