411 PAIN - Thanksgiving Travel Time 2012

Once again it's that time of year when millions of Americans hit the road for a Thanksgiving feast with family and friends.

According to AAA, 90% of Thanksgiving travelers, or about 43 million people, will choose to drive this year drive as opposed to 7% who choose to fly. The average traveling distance will be 588 miles.
That means a lot of extra people on the roads for an extra long time.
And that's why it's a time to be extra cautious.

It's easy to be eager and excited to be on a road trip, and it's easy to lose your temper in major traffic. Be patient.

Be sure to focus all your attention on the road! This means, let someone else answer that call or text.
Let another passenger entertain the kids. Likewise for switching the radio station, passing out goodies, or referring to a map or gps system. Remember, distracted driving is the number one cause of accidents!

If you don't already have one, now would be a good time to stock your car with emergency supplies such as first aid kit, extra blankets, a flashlight and basic tools.

Also always have extra water and snacks on hand for each person in the car.

It's a good idea to give your car a check before you go - check your oil, tire pressure, wiper fluid and of course that your gas tank is full and everything is working correctly.

It's best to split the driving chores. Stop every two to three hours to refuel, stretch your legs and, if possible, switch drivers.

Make sure to wear your seat belt, don't drink and drive and always be on the lookout for signs of drunk drivers on the road such as swerving or aggressive maneuvers.

But most of all, enjoy your trip!

Everyone at 411 PAIN wishes you a happy healthy and SAFE Thanksgiving!