Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. According to Injury Facts, hundreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of these fatalities.
Holiday Travel Safety Tips
- Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you
- Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving
- Avoid aggressive and angry driving
- Adjust following distance and speed in snowy or icy conditions
- Designate a sober driver or arrange for a cab ahead of time if you plan to drink at holiday gatherings
- Leave early. Plan for heavy traffic
- Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled
- Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit
- Practice defensive driving
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
Extra precautions need to be taken when shopping during the holiday season. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Always park in well-lit areas.
- Don’t leave purchased gifts in plain view — lock them in your trunk.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Only bring the credit cards you plan to use.
- Check your bank statements regularly during the season to spot suspicious activity.
Our team at Evolutions Safety Resources cares about your safety at work and your safety during everyday life. If you’re interested in learning about the steps we take to ensure safety and compliance in the workplace, let’s get the conversation started today. Our experts at ESR are ready and available to help. We offer free consultations and will develop complimentary improvement plans.