The NHTSA Wants You to Drive Safely During the Holiday Season

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is interested in your driving safety during the holiday season.

Often, we think of the NHTSA and other government agencies as large entities that don’t have our best interests at heart. That’s not the case. This agency is entirely focused on helping to govern safe cars and guide automakers to create better vehicles for consumers. That said, they also offer some safety tips for the holidays to make sure you can stay secure and enjoy a drive without incident.
Here are five tips from the NHTSA and five additional tips to help you drive safely during the holiday season.

1. Only Drive When You’re Sober

Intoxicated driving is the cause of many traffic fatalities, and you don’t need to be involved in one of these incidents. If you’re going to go out during the holidays to celebrate the coming of the New Year or one of the other winter holidays, make sure you have a designated driver or be the designated driver yourself. The celebration of one night isn’t worth risking your life behind the wheel.

2. Buckle Up, It’s More than Just the Law

Yes, it’s the law in every state that you need to wear your seatbelt in a moving vehicle, but it’s not just a safety restraint. The seatbelt is the primary safety device in every vehicle, and your supplemental safety systems depend on the seatbelt doing its job first. Before you head out, buckle up and sit up for a ride that is safe and secure during the holidays.

3. Check Your Vehicle Maintenance List Twice

Santa Clause isn’t the only person who should check a list twice; you should as well. If you’re planning a road trip during the holiday season, you need to check the vehicle maintenance list. It’s a good idea to ensure the fluids are topped off and everything is in order before you head out on the road. Get the car checked out, load up the family, and head out for a great holiday season together. With this list checked twice, you’ll feel more confident that your ride can be smooth and enjoyable wherever you go.

4. Get a Proper Night’s Rest Before Traveling

Many of us have heard stories of parents staying up all night to put toys together so that kids can have these items already built when they wake on Christmas morning. If you’re traveling on the holiday, this lack of sleep won’t serve you well. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before you get behind the wheel and take your family for a ride. Remember, their lives are in your hands as much as yours is.

5. Limit the Distractions During Your Drive

Driving in the winter might mean you’re facing tough winter road conditions, precipitation, or other distracted drivers. The NHTSA suggests you minimize distractions while driving during the holiday season. More cars are on the road during this time, and adding distractions can only make things worse. It’s a good idea to eat meals while parked or in the restaurant, avoid cell phone use, and limit changes to the car’s environment. Let your passenger handle climate changes in the car while you focus on the road ahead.

6. Be Prepared for Emergencies

More vehicles on the road and winter weather conditions typically translate into more car accidents during the holiday season. Unfortunately, you could become the victim of another driver’s negligence. You don’t know how soon help could come to your vehicle, which means you should be prepared for emergencies. Put an emergency kit in your vehicle to help keep everyone warm and cozy if something troublesome happens. This will help make the emergency pass a little easier than if you’re unprepared.

7. Use Proper Safety Restraints for Children

Small children should be secured in a child seat while in a moving vehicle. The NHTSA offers some guidance so you can keep your kid safer during the holiday season. Make sure the seat is right for your kids, and keep kids younger than 13 years old in the back seat of the vehicle. If your child’s car seat is registered with the manufacturer, you’ll be informed of any recalls issued on this seat. It’s important to keep everyone safe, and that’s what these child seats are made to do.

8. Give Yourself Extra Time for Travel

During the holidays, children put on plays, church services are longer and may start earlier, and holiday events happen that require you to be somewhere at a specified time. While most people do understand weather and traffic issues, if you leave a little earlier, you’ll feel calmer when you run into some winter weather or have to drive around an accident on your way to the show, party, or service.

9. Keep the Move Over Laws In Mind

You can get a ticket for not moving over to the far lane and giving vehicles on the side of the road plenty of room. The NHTSA offers this bit of advice to keep the damper off your holiday season. If you’re unsure whether you’re in a state with move over laws or not, just move over and give those people room to work. When you see a vehicle on the side of the road, you know their holidays are not off to a good start. Don’t make it worse by driving in the lane closest to them.

10. Execute a Home Security Checklist

If you’re traveling out of town for the holiday season and you’ll be away from home for a few days, make sure you execute a home security checklist. This means checking all appliances and plugged in devices to ensure they are off, securing your vehicles, locking the doors, and setting the alarm system if you have one. This checklist allows you to have the peace of mind knowing you did everything you should to avoid your home being broken into while you’re away celebrating the season.

These tips from the NHTSA can help you have a safer and more enjoyable holiday season. Put them to good use and stay safe out there on the roads this season.