Well, we made it through Halloween, but now we are on the slide into Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years… and all the other important holidays for our diverse community! At Auto Excel in Lexington, regardless of your beliefs and important holidays, we strive to keep you safe on the roads. And we know that this is a time of year when we tend to get behind the wheel more frequently as we congregate with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Did you know that 90% of the insane number of Thanksgiving travelers DRIVE to their destination?? And the time between Christmas Eve and New Year’s day there are more than 100 MILLION people who travel, creating an approximate 25% spike over the rest of the year. That’s a LOT of people on the roads.
Here’s a top-10 list of ways to stay safe driving this holiday season:
- Before you head into this busy driving-time of year, have your car maintenance so that you are ready to safely hit the roads.
- Keep an updated emergency kit in your vehicle to include things like: snacks, flashlight with extra batteries, a portable phone charger, extra meds, a warm blanket, warm gloves, water, a shovel, cat litter (in case you get your tires stuck!), a good book and/or a deck of cards, and the regular stuff like band-aids, etc.
- Have a spare tire that is good enough to get you where you need to go. Check it out before you head off to grandma’s house.
- An oldie but goodie… don’t drink and drive! Be prepared to carpool or uber so that you don’t become a horrible statistic or end up in jail. There’s no better way to put a damper on holiday cheer than to drink and drive.
- Keep your distractions to a minimum. Leave your phone out of sight and don’t try to eat that messy hamburger while weaving in and out of traffic.
- Have your playlist ready to help you roll down the street, keeping you calm and happy.
- If you don’t have your car maintenance by a pro, make sure to take the time to check all fluid levels, the air pressure in your tires, and do a visual inspection of the health of those tires. Replace your wipers and make sure your gas cap has a tight seal.
- Have chains ready to use just in case you’re heading to the snowy or icy part of the country.
- Give yourself plenty of time. Don’t be in a hurry! And pay attention to road conditions and adjust accordingly. Just because it says 55 doesn’t mean the weather and road conditions are suited for that speed.
- Always wear your seatbelt. Make sure your passengers are wearing theirs too, whether they are human or animal we want to keep everyone safe!
These are just some of the ways to stay safe this holiday season. The professionals at Auto Excel in Lexington are at the ready to handle all of your maintenance and repair needs before you head out on the highway to celebrate these next couple of months. Don’t be afraid to stop by Auto Excel in Lexington at 271 Gold Rush Rd #1 to ask us questions about additional driving safety or set up an appointment. Wishing you all a very happy and safe holiday season!