If you own or drive a vehicle on a regular basis, no doubt you've noticed that gas prices are falling lately. In fact, many states expect to see gas prices dip below $2 per gallon for the first Thanksgiving holiday stretch in years. As a result, the pundits at AAA say traffic will surge to the highest levels in nearly a decade starting Wednesday afternoon and running through Sunday.
While we're all about lower fuel costs, more drivers on the road means more risk for accidents. That's a tough pill to swallow considering that Thanksgiving already is among the most dangerous times of the year to be on the roadways. An average 400 to 500 people die and some 46,000 more are injured each year during this time. It's particularly rough on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, known to police and emergency medical workers as "Blackout Wednesday." That's because so many travelers take advantage of Thanksgiving Eve to hang (and drink) with hometown friends before heading to Grandma's for some Turkey Day grub the next morning.
Play it safe with these tips from E3 Spark Plugs:
- Avoid hitting the roadways at all by hosting Thanksgiving festivities at your house. If you MUST go to Grandma's plan your drives out of and back into town for Tuesday and Sunday, skipping the days when the roadways typically are most packed.
- Skip the main roads for the backroads. You'll bypass the heavier traffic and likely enjoy a far more scenic route.
- Wear your seatbelt and insist that everyone else does to. Seriously - this one's a no-brainer.
- Nix the distractions including mobile phones, loud music and rowdy kids. Remember that others on the roadways will be stressed out and you'll need to be on your A-game to avoid them.
- Don't drink and drive. And if you do drink, designate a non-drinking driver, hail a cab or, better yet, spend one more night with Grandma. She'll be pleased as punch.
From all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.
