The holiday season is here, and for many, that means one thing: a road trip. The car is packed, the playlist is ready, and everyone is excited to visit family and friends. But amidst the festive cheer, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
According to AAA, nearly 90% of holiday travelers hit the road each year, with more than 105 million people driving to celebrate with loved ones. Before you go, ensure your car, passengers, and car insurance are all prepared for the journey.
A car full of kids, pets, and presents can make any trip a little hectic. Taking a few minutes to review the following tips helps ensure everyone—and everything—arrives safe and ready to celebrate.
Double-Check Car Seat Installation
If you have little ones in car seats, their safety always comes first. Even if you installed those seats months or years ago, it’s a good idea to give them a quick check before a long drive. A secure, properly fitted car seat offers the best protection and peace of mind on the road. In fact, in one year, 325 children under age five were saved by car seats.
Follow these steps to ensure the car seats in your car are secure:
- Re-read the manuals. Refresh your memory by reviewing both the car seat manual and your vehicle’s owner manual. This ensures you are following the specific instructions for your seat and car model.
- Check for tightness. The car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back when you pull on the belt path. Use your weight to press down on the seat while tightening the seat belt or LATCH strap.
- Verify harness straps. The harness straps on rear-facing seats should be at or just below your child’s shoulders. For forward-facing seats, they should be at or just above the shoulders. Position the chest clip at armpit level.
- The pinch test: Once your child is buckled in, try to pinch a horizontal fold of the harness strap at their collarbone. If you can pinch the webbing, the harness is too loose. Tighten it until you can no longer pinch any excess webbing.
- Check expiration date. Car seats have expiration dates due to wear and advances in safety standards. Always check the label and ensure your seat hasn’t expired.
- Verify recall status. Confirm there are no recalls affecting your seat. Verify with the manufacturer or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site to check for recalls.
- Ensure the correct seat for age/size. Make sure your child’s seat is appropriate for their current age, weight, and height.
- Don’t use extra accessories. Only use padding or accessories that came with the seat or are approved by the manufacturer.
- Follow rear-facing recommendations. For maximum safety, keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, based on the seat limits.
- Get your car seat checked. Many communities offer free car seat safety checks by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. These checks ensure your seat is installed correctly and meets all guidelines for your child and vehicle.
Keep Pets Safe and Secure
Pets are part of the family, and it’s only natural that they join in the celebrations and road trips. Traveling with them safely takes a little extra planning. An unrestrained pet can easily distract the driver and faces a greater risk of injury during sudden stops. Always secure your pet with a harness, crate, or carrier, and never let them ride in your lap or move freely around the vehicle.
Here are the best ways to secure your furry family members:
- Use a pet carrier or crate: A well-ventilated carrier or crate is one of the safest ways for a pet to travel. It should be large enough for them to stand, sit, and turn around comfortably.
- Secure the carrier: Place the carrier on the floor behind a front seat or in the rear cargo area. Secure it with a seat belt or other anchor straps to prevent it from shifting or tumbling during the drive.
- Consider a pet seatbelt: For dogs, a specially designed pet seatbelt or travel harness can be an effective option. These harnesses attach to the car’s seat belt system, keeping your dog in place while allowing them some movement.
Strategically Pack Your Gifts and Luggage
With kids and pets secured, the next step is to load your gifts and luggage. How you pack these items can significantly impact vehicle safety and driver visibility. Unsecured luggage can shift, block your view, or become a hazard in the event of an accident.
Follow these guidelines for safe and smart packing:
Place Heavier Items Low and Centered
Position your heaviest items, such as large suitcases or bulky presents, on the floor of the cargo area. Placing them low and as close to the center of the vehicle as possible helps maintain a low center of gravity. This improves the vehicle’s stability and handling, especially around turns or in windy conditions.
Avoid Blocking Your Rearview
It can be tempting to stack gifts and bags as high as they will go, but this is a serious safety risk. Piling items above the level of the rear seats will obstruct your view through the rearview mirror. Maintaining a clear line of sight is essential for seeing traffic behind you and for safely changing lanes. If you need more space, consider using a rooftop cargo carrier.
Balance the Weight Evenly
Distribute the weight of your luggage and gifts as evenly as possible across the vehicle. Avoid loading all the heavy items on one side. An imbalanced load can affect your car’s suspension, steering, and tire wear. A well-balanced vehicle handles more predictably, making your drive smoother and safer.
Conduct a Final Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you pull out of the driveway, take a moment for a final safety check. Walk around your vehicle to ensure all doors and the trunk are securely closed. Adjust your mirrors for a clear view, and confirm that every passenger is buckled up.
Enjoy the Ride. Cherish the Moments.
A safe start is a great start to any holiday celebration. Taking a few extra minutes to secure your family, pets, and cargo provides peace of mind on the road. It’s a small investment of time that pays off in safety, just like finding quality, cheap car insurance that provides reliable coverage without breaking your budget. Drive safely and enjoy the season!
