• by Montgomery Miller
• October 10th, 2019

Safely Navigating the Holidays

First, Halloween arrives in slow motion. The ghosts and pumpkins appear, the houses and neighborhoods take on an eerie glow and BOOM, the little ones swarm the streets for Trick-or-Treating. Suddenly we’re navigating crowded parking lots in a quest to find the perfect turkey and the Christmas lights begin to appear and the scent of freshly cut Christmas trees and cinnamon fills the air. The pace can be dizzying and create hazards on the road. Here are some simple tips for getting to and from your destinations safely.

Stay Cool
We all know how stressful and distracting the holidays can be. Keep an eye on your stress meter to avoid unnecessary confrontations with other stressed out drivers. In particular, avoid getting into disputes over parking spaces. Some folks just have to cut in to feel in control. Let it wash over your shoulders like snow off a penguin.

Thoughtful Parking
Look for a spot that has a tree or light pole on one side, protecting one side of your vehicle from door dings and fender scrapes. Back in in you can. This will prevent you from standing in traffic when you return to load up your trunk with gifts or groceries. It’s also less stressful when pulling out into lot traffic after a long day of shopping. If you’ll be returning to your vehicle after dark, consider the value of returning to a well-lit parking space.
Remember, all the places you might visit for shopping during the holidays, will be jam packed with stressed out people who are in a hurry and perhaps not as aware of their surroundings as they might otherwise be. Go easy, take a deep breath. Don’t expect the other drive to see you.

Avoid Fatigued Driving
It goes without saying, but I’ll say it here, the holidays can be exhausting. Trying to squeeze in all that shopping while still getting the kids to school or to the game, tossing and turning while thinking about the plan for tomorrow, managing the bills…it can all sap your energy.
Stay alert, especially in the late afternoon and evenings when traffic picks up and folks are getting worn out. According to a 2018 AAA study, published in USA Today, 9.5% of all crashes and 10.8% of higher-severity crashes involved drowsiness.

Avoid Impaired Driving
It’s never safe to drive while impaired. That being said, if you’re going to have an alcoholic beverage, plan to do it when you are not out in the craziness, shopping for gifts in a rush. It’s a recipe for disaster. Choose the days and times that you plan to shop carefully, and leave the cocktails for a different day. Not only will you be safer on the road, but you’ll also avoid impaired shopping which can contribute to a financial hangover.
Remember, keep your cell phone charged at all times, keep a sweater or jacket in the vehicle, don’t leave gift packages visible in the back seat and be kind to others…you’ll have a more fun and fulfilling driving experience.

Here are some additional holiday driving and safety updates published in December 2018 by AAA.