The number of long distance trips (50 miles or more) Americans take rises by nearly 25 percent during the December holiday travel season, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. While the majority of them intend to travel by car, many will be jet setting to visit family or savor sand and sun. Wherever those travels may take you this holiday season, our experts have some safety advice to help travelers be the wisest of men and women.
Road Warriors – Make sure your car is ready to travel before you depart. Check the tires, including the treads, and make sure the antifreeze and oil are topped off. Keep a safety kit in your vehicle including jumper cables, flares, jack and lug wrench as well as ice scrapers and salt to tackle snowy roads.
Don’t Rush – It may sound counterintuitive with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but the Thanksgiving to New Year’s window is one of the busiest for travelers. Build extra time into your travel schedule to allow for more flexibility to handle crowds and delays.
Pack and Protect – Travel snafus happen, but it can feel particularly disappointing with holiday plans at every turn, so explore whether travel protection is a fit to give you peace of mind around your plans. According to a recent study of American travelers conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Aon Affinity Travel, a majority of Americans (88 percent) believe it is important that travel insurance for leisure trips cover the cost of their travel in the event of cancellation while 84 percent say it is important that it cover the cost of lost, damaged or stolen items.
Keep Connected – Now isn’t the time to leave the cell phone behind, or the travel charger or the back-up battery pack, for that matter. Make sure all your favorite travel apps are loaded and updated before leaving home.
Stay Healthy – Germs abound this time of year, so wash hands often, carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you for road, air and train travel. Can’t avoid the sniffles? Help others around you by keeping tissues handy.