New Jersey Holiday Road Trip Checklist: Travel Prep Steps That Help Prevent Accidents

A holiday road trip checklist being completed with a blue marker to ensure vehicle safety and accident prevention.

In between loading presents into the trunk and finding the perfect playlist, you should also add travel prep to your holiday road trip checklist. Motor vehicle accidents tend to increase during the holiday season. Whether as a result of impaired driving, distractions, or drivers unfamiliar with the area, New Jersey (like many other states) sees a spike in winter accidents in the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

If you’re traveling to visit family this holiday season, here are some helpful tips for preparing yourself and your vehicle for those long hours behind the wheel.

Get Enough Sleep the Night Before

Driving for long periods of time can be exhausting, especially when the scenery is repetitive. Fatigued driving accounts for a large portion of car accidents during the winter season, and can even make you feel intoxicated. In fact, studies show that being awake for a minimum of 18 hours can have the same effect as having a blood alcohol concentration of up to .10%, which is over the legal limit.

Ideally, you should get anywhere between seven and nine hours of sleep for several nights leading up to travel day. If you’re traveling with another licensed passenger, switch off every few hours. If you’re traveling alone, pull over and take breaks every 100 or so miles.

Prepare Your Car For Winter Weather

With the holiday season comes winter weather. Before you hit the road, do a quick winter weather check on your vehicle. Make sure your windshield wipers and headlights are working properly, top off oil and coolant, and check your tire pressure. These little checks can help ensure a smooth ride, which decreases the chances of you having to make a sudden swerve off the road.

Avoid Peak Travel Times

If you can, avoid peak travel times. Most people traveling for the holidays will get an early start to their roadtrip, usually between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m to avoid the morning rush. Keep in mind that roads will be most congested in the late morning, around 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then again in mid-afternoon after the kids get out of school or parents get off work.

The more drivers on the road, the more likely the chance of a motor vehicle accident, especially when you factor in families trying to reach their destination quickly. Avoiding peak travel times can minimize the chance of running into distracted or fatigued drivers.

Minimize Distractions

Even if you’ve been to this destination before, you’re likely still using a GPS. If so, be sure to keep your eyes on the road. Distractions are unfortunately common this time of year, with many drivers looking at their GPS, calling family members, or dealing with excited children in the backseat.

Always keep your focus on the road, and pull over to a rest stop or somewhere safe to take a break, get a bite to eat, or make a call. Texting and driving is dangerous and it’s just not worth it.

Plan Your Route Ahead of Time, Including Alternatives

Another helpful tip? Planning your route ahead of time to make sure it includes alternative routes to reach your destination safely. To save money or get to their destination sooner, some drivers may ask their GPS to avoid toll roads. Or, in some cases, an accident or road construction can lead to a detour somewhere new. In both scenarios, you may wind up in an area that’s unfamiliar or unsafe, leading you to make rash decisions to get back on the highway.

Carefully review your route ahead of time so you know where to get off instead of making a last-minute decision.

Be on the Defense

This time of year, many drivers are focused on their to-do list, not the road. As such, you’ll need to drive defensively. Be mindful of speeding drivers or those weaving in and out of traffic, making sudden lane changes, or displaying signs of fatigue or intoxication. Common red flags to look out for include driving too slowly, drifting into another lane, and tailgating.

Check the Weather Forecast Ahead of Time

Winter weather requires adjustments to how you’d normally drive. Check the weather forecast before you leave so you can wear the proper footwear, pack a roadside emergency kit, and prepare for what the roads will be like. Driving on snow or ice requires reduced speed and following distance to avoid accidents.

Likewise, if you are traveling with an inexperienced driver, checking the forecast ahead of time can help you make adjustments to your driving schedule.

Knowing what to do after a car accident, including calling the police, seeking medical care, and consulting an attorney is critical to collecting the compensation you need. However, don’t overlook the importance of creating a holiday road trip checklist before you head out, either. Inspecting your vehicle, wearing the right footwear, and planning ahead can be the difference between arriving at your destination safely or riding in an ambulance to the nearest hospital.

Contact Drazin and Warshaw if You Were Injured in a Car Accident This Holiday Season

Were you injured in a car accident while traveling this holiday season? You don’t have to face the journey ahead alone. Call the personal injury lawyers at Drazin and Warshaw at 732-333-8141 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We’ll uncover what happened, answer your questions, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the compensation you need.

Don’t wait. Contact Drazin and Warshaw today. We represent clients throughout New Jersey, including Hazlet, West Orange, Montclair, and Toms River.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.