‘Tis for the season for holiday travel! With the holidays in full-force, it seems like most people are in the process of traveling somewhere, or will be hitting the road in the very near future. During this time of year, there is always an increase in traffic both on the roads and in the air. Tempers may be short as long lines and extra cars on the highway test everyone’s patience.
AAA predicts that this Thanksgiving kicks off the start of what may become the busiest holiday travel season in more than a decade. Though usually we think of the days surrounding Thanksgiving as being the most active for travel, George Hobica, founder of the website, “Airfarewatchdog” predicts that December 21 and 22 may actually be a busier time, meaning, our busiest travel days are still ahead of us this season.
Safety should always be your first concern when packing the family up during the holidays, however, enjoying your time together without a lot of stress should also be a priority. Here are some things to keep in mind to stay safe and stress free as you travel this holiday season.
Holiday Travel On the Road
Holiday road travel is usually spread out over a couple days surrounding the holiday. Leaving early in the morning may give you a few more hours before the highways become increasingly more congested.
Most people are driving long distances (over 50 miles) to visit family over the holidays. If you are in the car for a long period of time, make sure to take breaks or switch drivers every few hours. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving!
Avoid leaving any big city during rush hour times when there are extra cars on the road. This can lengthen your trip, and also cause more traffic and room for error.
Holiday Travel In the Air
Always leave early for the airport during the peak holiday travel times. Lines will be long, and planes will be packed, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time before your flight.
It’s easy to lose children in the crowd of an airport. Keep an eye on your kids, and assign older siblings to keep a watch on the younger ones if you need to be away from them. Make sure to use the “buddy system” in any major airport.
Be aware of what you are packing in your bags at all times. Avoid wrapping gifts before you travel, especially if you are bringing the gifts in your carry-on luggage. TSA may have to unwrap the packages, which may cause delays for you and others.
Most of all, be patient! Everyone is trying to get somewhere to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. Keep in mind that the best part of this time of year is the spirit of giving, love, and warmth.
Travel can fun and stressful. As you take to the roads or skies this holiday season, keep safety in mind as a top-of-mind priority. Avoid an accident or delay by following our safety tips, and we wish you a wonderful holiday time wherever your final destination may be!
In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a serious travel accident this holiday season, or any time of the year, it’s important that you speak with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your rights before you speak with insurance companies. You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic compensation for your injuries.
References:
AAA releases holiday travel statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://10thousandcouples.com/2017/11/aaa-releases-holiday-travel-statistics/
(2017, November 20). Verify: Are the holiday travel myths true? Retrieved November 21, 2017, from http://9news.com/news/local/verify/verify-are-the-holiday-travel-myths-true/493485983
