Tips & Strategies for Safer, Smarter Holiday Driving

Many during this time of year are scrambling to get their Christmas shopping done.

In the back of their mind, they ask themselves where has another year has gone - up and vanished like so much snow on a hot spring day.

Yet, like the spring day, the coming year offers the promise of hope and new aspirations.

With the Christmas season is upon us, drivers need to be prepared for busier freeways, highways and byways.

Winter roads can be treacherous. Allow extra time to arrive at your destination safely.

In an attempt to spend time with family and experience the true meaning of the holiday season, most will travel this Christmas.

Keep these tips in mind to make your weekend as safe one:

Drinking & Driving

Quite simply...DON'T!

The choice not to drink & drive is made before one starts drinking, not after the imbibing has begun.

Holiday driving can be messy. Be sure to have your windshield washer fluid topped up and good wipers fitted to your vehicle.

Make arrangements for a cab, a ride, or to stay over before the party begins.

If you're concerned about other members of your family attending parties and drinking, than consider discussing and signing MADD's contract for life.

Vehicle Preparation

Get your vehicle tuned
Install winter tires
Top up your windshield washer fluid with winter cleaner
Equip your vehicle with an emergency survival kit
Ensure that all vehicle occupants have warm clothing in the event that the vehicle breaks down, or you become stranded
Have snacks, drinks & entertainment at the ready (see below for more details)

Go slow in holiday parking lots. There are lots of pedestrians and cars reversing and doing all sorts of weird driving manoeuvres.

Plan Your Route - NAVIGATION

A significant number of motorists travel to new and unknown destinations.

Consequently, planning and navigating to their vacation "hotspot" will require forethought, research and documentation.

Plan a rest stop every two hours; if you're travelling with children, plan stops where playground equipment, toilets and a place to picnic are available.

Google maps, Mapquest and GPS devices all make finding amenities on your travels a simple and easy task.

If you're travelling with a partner and one person will drive and the other provide directions, work out a communication strategy before departing.

Packed vehicles and those with roof racks and Thules on the top could be lost or looking for a destination - give them plenty of room.

If you're travelling with a partner...

Go over the route together and discuss which route will be taken.

Both people must know where the stops are located and how the directions and maps are organized.

As well, the navigator must provide specific information to the driver: "left", "right" and "straight" at intersections will reduce much of the potential confusion that often

If you get lost, as some times happens, take a deep breath.

If it's a simple procedure of retracing your steps to a missed turn, find a safe place to turn around.

In holiday parking lots, your best bet at finding a parking space is going to be near the back of the lot.

Avoid—at all costs—doing "U" turns on busy highways.

If your "lost" is more complex, find a safe place to stop (parking lot, off ramp or secondary road) and study the map to get yourself back on course.

If the least bit unsure—and guys, I know this is a tough one—stop and ask for directions!

Plan your departure accordingly

Rush hour is predictable and BC ferries has been providing public service announcements about their busiest times for weeks now.

Anticipate how long your route will take and allot extra time for congestion and unforeseen stops.

Have you planned for contingencies? Do you have a survival kit in your vehicle for holiday travel?

If you've planned your drive accordingly, a 15 – 30 minute buffer zone for each hour of driving should reduce or eliminate much of the tension and stress from your drive.

Avoid a Breakdown

The reality is, that few modern vehicles breakdown, if properly maintained.

However, ensure that the oil was recently checked and changed if required, tire pressure is at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and that all fluid levels are topped up.

If you feel that something requires professional attention, take it to your mechanic.

If you're unsure about anything on your vehicle, check the owner's manual or look it up online. For example, do you know how to turn on the hazard lights?

And before you depart, conduct a pre-trip inspection consisting of the following:

Lights

Parking
Signals
High & low
Dash lights
Fog lights if any

Tires, including spare

Properly inflated
Even wear
No lumps, bumps or cracks

Know where the jack is located and how it works (check owner's manual)

Fluid levels are adequate

Fuel
Windshield wiper
Engine oil
Master cylinder (brake)
Hydraulic clutch (manual transmission)
Power steering

Check underneath and around the vehicle

No fluids leaking
Nothing hanging down
No new body damage

Inside the vehicle

Defroster & heater
Air conditioning
Windshield wipers (front & back) and fluid
Primary controls are responsive and work properly (steering, brakes and accelerator
Seats, seat belts and doors work
All windows go up & down
Fill up the tank before departing

For most drivers, putting fuel in their vehicle is a "pain" at the best of times.

It's even worse if you have to jockey for position or wait in a long queue at the fuelling station.

When on long trips in the winter, keep the fuel tank above 1/4 tank. That way you'll have fuel in the even to an emergency.