Safe Christmas Traveling Safety Tips

cartoon Santa Claus

Safe Christmas Traveling Safety Tips

The Christmas Holiday is just around the corner, and for many of us, that means holiday travel. Whether you will be driving across state lines or just to the other side of town, these Safe Christmas Traveling Safety Tips will help keep you and your loved ones safe during this busy time.

A Tragic Trend in Texas Road Accidents

Our state has one of the highest rates of traffic deaths in the country.

According to the Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts 2021:

  • The state registered 4,489 fatalities.
  • 19,448 people sustaining a serious injury.
  • Fatalities in traffic crashes in rural areas of the state accounted for 51.04% of the state’s traffic fatalities.
  • 1,037 people killed in crashes occurring in intersections or related to an intersection.
  • More DUI – Alcohol crashes were reported in the hour between 2:00 am and 2:59 am than any other hour of the day. Also, more of these crashes occurred on Sunday than any other day of the week.
  • 433 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving.
car accident

Prevention Tips

While we may be unable to prevent all accidents, we can certainly take the necessary precautions to lower this Holiday Season’s statistics.

The following travel safety tips aim to help keep you and your family safe from harm.

Get Your Vehicle Serviced

Before you embark on your holiday road trip, take your car to a trusted mechanic or the dealership to have it checked to ensure it’s in good working order.

car mechanic

Leave with Time to Spare

During the holiday season, traffic increases. So, plan your trip ahead of time and map out alternative roads you can take if necessary.

Leave your home with time to spare to arrive at your destination; this way, you won’t feel the need to speed to arrive on time.

3 women by a car

Safety Tips for Long-Distance Trips

If you are going on a long-distance trip, it’s a good idea to switch drivers along the way. However, if you are traveling alone, make sure to stop frequently to stretch and rest.

Get a good night’s sleep before starting your trip and avoid driving through the night as you are more likely to doze off and cause an accident.

tired man driving a car

Keep Your Eyes on the Road and Your Hands on the Wheel

Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents. So, while you are behind the wheel, don’t text and drive!

Also, if you are driving with children or pets, always stop the car if you need to check on them. Avoid taking your eyes off the road, which increases your chance of being involved in a traffic accident.

man eating burrito in a car

Store Food and Snacks Safely

Food poisoning is no joke, and it can ruin your holiday. If you plan to take snacks to eat while on the road, make sure you store them correctly.

Place perishable goods in an ice cooler to keep them from spoiling. Remember to wash your hands before eating.

cooler and insulated cup on a rock

Mass Transport Safety Tips

When using any means of mass transport such as planes, trains, or buses, remember we are in the middle of flu season.

We still need to keep our guard up even if we are vaccinated. To protect yourself, follow these safety tips:

  • When possible, avoid sitting next to strangers. Instead, try to sit next to family members
  • Wash your hands after touching high traffic areas, including handrails and doors
  • Don’t touch your face or eat without first washing your hands
  • Get vaccinated or have a booster shot to increase your ability to fight off severe illness

Altus Emergency Centers wishes you and your loved ones a Happy and Safe Christmas. We will remain open during these festive days to help care for you and your family in the event of an emergency.

Altus Emergency Room Baytown

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