Safety Tips for Holiday Road Trips

Planning to Hit the Road for the Holidays?

The Injury Prevention team at Denver Health wants to make sure you have a safe and healthy holiday season and if you’re planning on traveling to visit your loved ones during this time, we have some safety tips for you! Traveling by road between late November and mid-January is one of the most common forms of travel, but also one of the deadliest. It is estimated that over 1,200 fatalities will occur between Thanksgiving and New Year's (according to Injury Facts) due to motor vehicle traveling during the holidays, but with the proper precautions, you can help keep you and your loved ones safe!

You Can Prepare Yourself and Your Car for Winter By:

• Make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip.
• Keep an emergency kit with you
• Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving
• Leave early, planning ahead 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
• Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment
• Check the weather before departing and along your route. Plan for travel around any storms that may be coming
• Share travel plans and location with a family member or friend
• Stop every two hours to move your body and re-check your car environment

For additional information on holiday travel, please contact Krysta Couzi at 303-602-2130 or email us at injuryprevention@dhha.org. You can also check out the CDC Holiday Travelers' Guide for more information! Travel safe!