With fall here and winter right around the corner, folks across the country will be preparing for the holiday season! This means more cars on the roads. Managing the heavy traffic from hundreds and thousands of other travelers on Thanksgiving Day will be challenging. However, thoughtful planning and incorporating a few practical strategies will ensure the holiday season becomes a fun time.
When not to drive on Thanksgiving?
Heaviest Thanksgiving traffic hits the roads on evenings, usually around 4-5 PM. These are the times when travelers mix with the usual rush-hour traffic.
Significant peaks in national traffic also occur in the afternoons. So, if you plan to travel on Thanksgiving Day, be weary of the busiest times in the afternoons. Plan your trips in the morning or after 6 PM to avoid the worst situation.
On your way back, you will probably get more breathing room but don't forget about Black Friday. There will inevitably be traffic jams here and there, between noon and 4 PM, possibly on Friday.
Locations with the worst traffic
Some of the biggest metropolitan cities, particularly Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago, experience peak traffic during Thanksgiving. The afternoons are the most hectic for traffic in these cities, along with Chicago, Boston, Houston, Detroit, Seattle, and San Francisco.
You should avoid I-278 in New York, as the traffic is usually worse than usual. In Los Angeles, avoid driving on I-5 south. Take I-405 south instead, as traffic typically increases. Residents of Atlanta should consider alternatives to I-85 south as it encounters more traffic than usual during Thanksgiving.
What makes the roads dangerous?
Despite being a one-day event, Thanksgiving is a five-day-holiday weekend for most Americans. You will probably get on board with it, even if you are not planning anything now. Then again, multiple factors unique to Thanksgiving make this time of the year turbulent for drivers.
Here are some reasons why you should avoid driving on Thanksgiving –
- Americans loves to drive. The average American drives more than 50 miles during the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, it is no news that driving long distances is monotonous. When driving becomes monotonous and there is a lot of traffic to maneuver through, mistakes will happen and accidents may occur.
- The day after Thanksgiving is when businesses offer their products and services at heavy discounts. It is natural for malls and retail centers to be overcrowded. Parking lots of businesses will generally be overcrowded. The days after Thanksgiving are notorious for increased parking-related vehicle accidents. Compared to claims made in other days of the year, parking-related accidents increase after Thanksgiving.
- Avoid driving on Thanksgiving Eve since the roads will be filled with drivers driving under the influence. Restaurants and bars offer food as well as drinks at discounted rates. Hence, people meeting up at these establishments will tend to fill themselves up with discounted food as well as drinks. Most of these people will choose to drive instead of taking the cab. Hence, driving between 8 PM and 3 AM the night or early morning before Thanksgiving is not safe.
How to avoid accidents on Thanksgiving?
Being a day of fun, good food, and even better company, driving on Thanksgiving can be safer than ever. Just follow the tips mentioned below and you or your loved ones driving your car should be fine.
- Avoid drinking and driving - If you are going to celebrate and exceed your usual alcohol consumption limit, make alternate transportation arrangements first. If your teen takes the car out on Thanksgiving night, make sure to equip it with a Vyncs GPS tracker for car. In this way, you can track how your teen drives the vehicle. No hurrying or rushing - Most people know that the most common cause of vehicle accidents is speeding. Even if you are late to a family gathering, drive cautiously, slowly, and responsibly. Don't you think it is better to get there late than not arriving at all because of an accident?
- Use a Vyncs OBD2 tracker and its accompanying app to plan your route. In this way, you can prepare yourself to tackle heavy traffic. At the same time, you can use the app accompanying the vehicle tracking device to find alternate routes to your destination.
- If you manage the fleet of your business, instruct your fleet drivers to take frequent breaks. Use fleet management solutions like a Vyncs fleet vehicle tracking device and monitor your fleet drivers for the best results.
- Avoid distracted driving. Instruct your loved ones to stop using their smartphone while driving. If you manage the fleet of your business, instruct your fleet drivers to stop blasting the stereo as they make deliveries. Distracted driving leads to fatalities.
Track your vehicle and stay safe this Thanksgiving
In the end, consider installing a GPS tracker for your car. How will it benefit you? Well, it can tell you how your car is being driven. You will know how your teenager is driving the family car. Fleet managers, you can ensure that your drivers are not taking the fleet vehicles to your rival’s turf. Do you have plans to take a long road trip with your loved ones? A tracker with road side assistance feature can be handy especially if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Installing a tracker in your vehicle has many benefits. Use it to know more!