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Thanksgiving, for many of us, is our favorite time of the year. A time when we all get together to share our favorite recipes, to bask in the food-coma to come! However, it can be a deceptively dangerous time to drive with so many of us hitting the road at once. There are some things to consider before hitting the road on a belly full-o-turkey!
Crazy drivers, cars full of kids, and sleepy people full of food are some of the hurdles you might encounter on your Thanksgiving route! Let's all take the time to be a little extra careful, so we have even more to be thankful for this year. Check out this list of 10 tips for handling Thanksgiving traffic!
1. Stay Awake - This might seem a bit too obvious. However, it's true that all that Thanksgiving food can act like a warm blanket, lulling you into dreamland before you know it! Stay awake, and maybe take a nap before you hit the road.
2. Stay Calm - Thanksgiving is a time for happiness, not road rage! Take the traffic in strides and slow down to let people pass. Take the extra time to enjoy the trip with your family and get to your destination safely.
3. Stay Sober - Yes, this is the holiday season, and mulled wine, hard cider, and bottles of bubbly will be flowing. That is all fun, but if you are driving, keep you and your family safe by indulging in the regular apple cider instead!
4. Check Your Tires - Winter weather is all around us, and your tires are the barrier between you and mother nature. Take some time to check out your tire tread before hitting the road; make sure it isn't too worn and that it can handle the road ahead. While you are at it, don't forget to examine your tire's pressure.
5. Check Your Windshield Wiper Blades - Traffic is dangerous enough on its own, but toss some rain in there and windshield wipers that don't work well, and it is a recipe for disaster! Keep you and your family safe by testing your windshield wiper blades, and replace them if they need replacing.
6. Check the Weather - On that note, check the weather ahead of time before you get in the car. You might find that heavy fog or a winter storm is rolling in; being prepared will help you make the best decision at the moment.
7. Check Your Lights - If foggy & rainy conditions do surprise you, make sure you are ready for them by checking your vehicle's lights! Make sure your headlights, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals, and high beams are in good working order. That way, you can navigate the Thanksgiving traffic safely.
8. Time Your Travel - Everybody is hitting the road for Thanksgiving, and traffic might be really bad in certain areas! Beyond that, some people will indulge and jump behind the wheel. It is best to pick a time where there is less traffic on the road. Try timing your travel as best you can.
9. Use Your Phone - Not while you are driving, silly! Use it to Google the best times to drive, to avoid traffic jams. You can also use it as an effective GPS by using a service like Google Maps. Just make sure you have a safe place to put your phone while driving, like a dash mount.
10. Listen To Something You Enjoy - Sometimes traffic is unavoidable, but a great song can make it so much better. Consider an audiobook for the long ride, or maybe listen to your favorite podcast! Nothing helps beat a boring line like a great story and time spent with loved ones.
Before you hit the road this Thanksgiving, prepare yourself for the inevitable traffic to come with some of these tips. That way, you can spend the time enjoying yourself and giving thanks for the things you cherish most. Most importantly, make sure your vehicle is safe to hit the road and find an auto repair center you trust to help get you to the party.
If you need help getting your vehicle ready for Thanksgiving traffic, don't hesitate to contact Ponder Auto Repair, and remember to add us on Facebook. Schedule an appointment today, and visit our family-owned and operated auto repair center in Johnson City, TN. Our team of ASE-Certified Auto Technicians can check your brakes, lights, tires, windshield wiper blades, etc., to make sure you get to the Thanksgiving feast safely!