South Carolina Highway Patrol issues holiday travel tips

The Thanksgiving holiday is a busy time on the highways. That’s why the South Carolina Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers to be extra safe during the holidays.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol issued the following Thanksgiving Travel Safety Tips:
· Have your vehicle checked by a good mechanic for the following: brakes, battery, fluid levels, tire pressure, light bulbs and any parts that need regular maintenance.
· Plan your route. Do you have maps in case there are detours? You may need to look on the state Department of Transportation’s web sites for road closures or slowdowns.
· The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are when you can expect the most traffic. Consider changing your travel dates if you have any flexibility.
· Are you prepared for roadway emergencies? Bring along a first-aid kit, flashlight, blankets, drinking water and snacks, along with flares and jumper cables and an ice scraper.
· Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.
· If your vehicle breaks down on the roadway or you have a minor collision, it is vitally important to remove your vehicle from the flow of traffic and off the roadway, if at all possible.
· Never try to get out and push the vehicle or look under the hood in the flow of traffic.
· If you are changing a tire, be mindful of the traffic around you.
· If you are traveling into other states where you are unfamiliar with the roadways, pay close attention to speed limit and other roadway signs giving you instructions.
· Plan your route ahead.
· Be patient. Do not tail gate. Keep a safe following distance and refuse to engage in aggressive/combative driving.

Take Care of Yourself and Your Family:
· Don’t procrastinate on your packing. Be packed and ready to go a day in advance of your travels. Go to bed early the night before to prevent fatigue.
· The Highway Patrol does not recommend driving all night to avoid traffic. Most people will not get the extra sleep in advance of their trip and risk extreme fatigue. Also, drunken driving collisions are greater during the nighttime and early morning hours.
· Try to save rest room/stretching breaks for designated rest areas. If you must stop at a convenience store or other area, be extra careful of your surroundings.

Do not leave purses, wallets or other belongings visible in the vehicle. Lock your vehicle while you are in it and out.
· Take the keys and lock your vehicle while pumping gas.
· Never leave children in an unattended vehicle.
· Double check children’s car seats. Make sure the seat is attached tightly to the vehicle seat and the harness and straps are on tightly and properly.
· Be aware of the sedating effects of a heavy meal. It is best to avoid a long trip right after your Thanksgiving meal. If you have to travel, try to get in a nap first.

Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Traffic Tips:
· Consider alternate routes around the mall areas, if possible;
· Allocate sufficient time to get from one destination to another;
· Have a sense of humor and resolve that the traffic is part of the experience;
· Be prepared for the fatigue that can affect driving if you are “camping out” at stores to hit the early morning bargains;
· Don’t get competitive on the roadways or volleying for the best parking.