One of the busiest times of year for driving is during the winter months of November and December when people hit the roads to visit family and friends for the holidays. That being said, here are 10 tips to keep in mind for safer driving:

1. Get Plenty of Sleep: If you’re leaving early the next morning, make sure you’re packed two days in advance, this way you can get to bed early the night before!
2. Bring Snacks: The less stops along the way will not only save you gas; it will save you time as well.
3. Leave with a Full Tank of Gas: Always start your trips off with a full tank. If you don’t quite have a full tank of gas, still make sure that you top it off.
4. Get Your Vehicle Inspected: Before any major trip, always make sure that your vehicle inspection is up to date. This includes major as well as minor things such as making sure the tire pressure is ok as well as having the oil changed.
5. Pack an Emergency Kit: Every car should have a first aid kit.
6. Bring Cell Phone Charger & List of Numbers: In this day and age, don’t leave home without your cell phone. It comes in handy should you be stuck in traffic or have a major emergency. However, technology is still flawed, so bring a hardcopy of any important numbers in case (god forbid) you have to use a pay phone.
7. Carry Spare Change: If you know that you’re going to be traveling on major highways, it’s always a good idea to carry spare change just in case. This is also true for unexpected payphone use
8. Don’t Stop for Anyone: If you don’t know them, don’t stop for them. Safety first.
9. Avoid Using Your Cell Phone While Driving: Most accidents these days are caused by people who don’t pay attention while driving because they are on their cell phones. If you’re traveling, let others know this way it’ll cut down on phone use. Try to use the phone only when you stop for gas or in case of an emergency. Additionally, know the laws for cell phone usage as it pertains to the state(s) you’ll be driving through. Some states, like NY, ban cell phone use unless you have a hands-free device.
10. Carry a Map: This goes without saying. Even if you have a GPS system, it’s always better to have a paper map as a backup in case something happens.

For more information about how to rent a car during the Thanksgiving or Christmas seasons, contact Triangle Rent a Car today!

Tags: General Auto //