How to Safely Navigate Highways During Holiday Traffic

Safely navigate highways during holiday traffic can be a challenging task for any driver. More people are taking to the roads with the combined factors of distraction and fatigue, making your and other people’s lives at risk. But there are steps that you could take to reduce the risks inherent in driving on the highways during the holidays. In this grand tutorial, one will understand multiple techniques that help towards having a tension-free and an incidences-free drive.

This guide will provide invaluable easy to follow tips and techniques on how to safely navigate highways during holiday traffic. It’s time to go with confidence!

Table of Contents

Analyzing Holiday Traffic

It is important to know what the holiday traffic is before we analyze the strategies in detail. Overall, there is congestion during this holiday season because of the many people who travel to meet their friends and extended families or go for a holiday. This happens particularly in the rush hours, on the eve of a holiday and the first few days of the holiday when people travel.

Secondly, there is more traffic throughout the holiday period which moves at a slower speed and increases the likelihood that motorists will be having a bad day. To make safe driving a priority, it becomes important to avoid mishaps and accidents in traffic caused due to the increased stress or anger.

The Challenges of Holiday Traffic

Traffic during the holiday can be one of the most challenging experiences especially when we are on a holiday in festive periods. As the process is based on the number of cars on the roads, the probability of encountering problems rises in proportion. Out of this, across the country, different reports estimate that approximately 700,000 incidents occur in a year where the drivers involved flee the scene.

More traffic flow not only increases the general chances of an accident happening but it also leads to more incident of reckless driving. Stress and impatience are often the main culprits when it comes to accidents so the drivers have to be very careful. Stick to a safe behavior on the road during these periods is not only wise but viable because of the risks involved.

However, the state of the roads that you get to travel on is incredibly influential in your driving experience. From the National Asphalt Paving Association, every one of the 2.6 million miles of paved roads in the United States has more than 94% coverage with asphalt. The massive application of asphalt renders the translated carriages to achieve better rolling resistance, hence requiring specific sensitivity regarding the road adhesion and reaction times when the holiday-making traffic is on the rise.

The Importance of Avoiding Impaired Driving

DUI is any of the most prevalent causes of fatal accidents in most super highways across the globe. Another significant anomaly that contributes to the occurrence of accidents involving DUI is festive culminating in events where the taking of alcohol is cultures. Washington State Courts says that the maximum punishment for one’s FIRST DUI offense in Washington state is 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.

Responsible decision making like hiring drivers, drivers, or an Uber can not only save you, your companions, and other people on the road. These options reduce the possible risks in relation to the incidence of impaired driving. Drinking and driving has serious legal consequences, as well as personal, which cannot be dismissed.

As for celebration organization, holiday planning also involves proper assessment of transportation choices after parties. It is just as important for everyone to get home safely as it is to get to celebrate the festivals. Thus, as members of a certain community we can change the perception of people about driving during the holidays to decrease drastically the number of incidents.

Planning Your Journey

One thing that needs to be understated is the organization to be able to minimize stress that comes along with the flow of traffic during that time of the year. The following steps can help you plan your journey more efficiently:

Research peak travel times: This means that to decide when you should start the trip, you should find out when the roads are most likely to be congested. In most cases, one should avoid rush hour times when traveling, including in the morning or in the evening.
Use traffic updates and GPS navigation: Monitor traffic and route information, use of Global Positioning System to observe where there is likely to be traffic congestion, or where there may be a road block. These tools may assist in working out different available routes to bypass traffic congestion making a drive more convenient and less tense.
Choose a restful rest stop: In case your travel takes longer, it is prudent to take a break at rest areas which are not along the highway and therefore more relaxing. Getting off the road to avoid the upset and annoyance arising from traffic congestion can assist in the restoration of concentration for the rest of the journey.

Staying Alert and Focused

Paying attention to the road while driving is very important in order to avoid a collision. The following practices can help keep you in control of your vehicle and aware of your surroundings:

Stay awake: One of the deadliest driving risks is drowsiness, this is because the driver’s response to threats on the road is always compromised. If, for any reason, you become sleepy, please switch to the hard shoulder of the motorway, and take a short nap or try to do some exercise.
Avoid distractions: Today there are so many technological enhancements within car interiors that you can easily get carried away. Don’t selfishly choose to multitask by texting, using a cellphone, or performing any other act that will diminish your concentration on the road and traffic conditions.
Keep a safe following distance: When driving on the roads, travelers should make sure that there is enough distance between the vehicles on the front to avoid a rear-end collision. This will give you adequate reaction time should the car in front slow down or stop dead on the road as we have seen in the past event.
Observe posted speed limits: Increasing speed can enhance the dangers of an accident happening often due to traffic congestion. Speed up or down on any speed limit which could have been posted and slow down when the weather conditions and at night are difficult.

Defensive Driving

In contrast, defensive driving is a showing of driving on the roads that involves minimizing risk on roads that can be incurred. The following techniques can help you become a more defensive driver:

Scan the road: Gaze constantly at the road pointing forward, evaluate the risks, and decide on your attitude toward them. All this will assist you in being able to accurately predict the traffic situation and create a good response to change.
Keep your eyes on the road: Do not turn your head to look at the GPS screen or switch the station or put on lipstick. Failing to do that can make you lose your line of sight and quick response period.
Communicate with other drivers: This means that, by using your car’s turn signals, high beams or brakes, you can communicate well with the other driver and stay several feet apart.
Anticipate sudden stops: When on the road during rush hours it is safer to approach the next vehicle slowly without relying on the brakes to make a sudden halt.
Remain calm: If you are stressed or frustrated, your ability to reason and avoid an accident is hampered and compromised. When they are on the wheels, drivers should be able to relax and focus just by performing relaxation activities.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

Holiday is also a busy time on roads, so it is important to ensure that a car is in good conditions. The following vehicle maintenance practices can help ensure your vehicle is roadworthy:

Perform regular vehicle checks: Check that your vehicle’s tires are in good condition, that the brake system is in good condition, that the vehicle lights are working and other parts of a vehicle are properly working.
Keep your fuel tank full: Lack of fuel is annoying and particularly perilous during the holiday traffic rush. However, this should be avoided by ensuring that your tank is at least half full, during your trip.
Get a professional check-up: If you are getting ready for your road trip, you should make sure that you get your car checked by a professional to see if it has some defects that can make things dangerous during your drive.

Conclusion

Traffic is particularly unbelievable during the holidays but implementing the mentioned tips and ways can make your trip safer and less stressful. Always think through your route, be attentive and concentrated, observe, use safe driving techniques, and don’t forget to check over your car before you start your traveling. Keeping these factors in mind you should have a happy holiday season on the highways.

FAQs: Safely Navigating Highways During Holiday Traffic

What is the best time to travel during holiday traffic?

Morning or during the night periods are preferable because they ensure that you avoid traffic jams.

How can I reduce stress during holiday driving?

It may sound obvious to say, but make sure that you plan for the break and make sure that you listen to the right music. You should be willing to spend some more time on the road to avoid running out of time.

Should I avoid highways altogether during the holidays?

The highways are probably the fastest. Instead of avoiding them,, use the navigation apps to discover less busy times and roads.

What should I do if my car breaks down on the highway?

Pullover, get to the shoulder and turn on the hazard lights then call an auto towing service. Don’t get out of your car till receive assistance from the law enforcement authorities.

How do I handle aggressive drivers?

Avoid engaging. Leave them to go on and do not follow them too closely.

Is cruise control safe during heavy traffic?

Cruise control is more effective when you are in an area with little traffic. On highways or in any place you don’t have to constantly accelerate. Do not use it in traffic situation whereby the car is mostly standing still.