Every year, millions of Americans hit the road for a Thanksgiving Day celebration. In fact, the days before and after Thanksgiving are some of the busiest travel days of the year. The high volume of traffic on roads across the nation may bring slow-downs and even safety risks.
Last year, more than 54 million people were projected to travel 50 miles or more in the days surrounding Thanksgiving. Will this year bring even more travelers?
You should prepare ahead of time
In addition to preparing a dish to serve, pondering Black Friday shopping plans and mentally preparing to make small talk, you should plan your travel route. Depending on the weather, dates of travel and the distance you are traveling, there may be a higher risk of an accident.
Here’s what you should know before you head home for the holiday.
- Consider taking alternative routes
- Prepare for the road conditions
- Make sure someone knows your travel plans
The least heavy travel day is usually Thanksgiving Day. Most people travel before or after Thanksgiving Thursday. The busiest travel day is Sunday. Sunday is the day that most people head back home.
Depending on the distance and weather conditions, you may need to pack some emergency supplies in your vehicle. If you are not driving into cold or snowy locations, traffic may be your only concern.
General driver safety tips
Regardless of when you are traveling, there are safety precautions you should always take.
- Drive defensively
- Don’t follow other vehicles too closely
- Always wear a seat belt
- Do not text and drive
During the holiday weekend in 2017, there were 365 people killed in motor vehicle accidents. Hopefully, these travel tips are a good reminder to take caution whenever you are driving. Unfortunately, you cannot ensure other drivers will take the same safety measures as you.
You may choose to take action if you were injured in a car accident. Speaking with an experienced representative that is on your side may help you receive the compensation you deserve.
