The holidays bring some of the busiest travel days of the entire year—especially around Thanksgiving. Millions of drivers hit the road to visit family, attend gatherings, and make the most of the season. With heavier traffic, unpredictable weather, and more distractions, it’s also one of the highest-risk times for collisions.
Before you load up the car and head out, here’s how to make your holiday travel safer, reduce your accident risk, and protect your vehicle—and your family—along the way.
Why Holiday Travel Requires Extra Caution
More vehicles + more distractions + winter weather = higher accident risk.
Thanksgiving weekend often brings:
- Congested highways and interstates
- Stop-and-go traffic on rural routes
- Drivers who are rushed, tired, or distracted
- Deer and wildlife movement at sunrise and sunset
- Early sunsets and reduced visibility
- Rain, frost, and the occasional early snow
Being proactive is the best way to avoid a fender bender or major collision.
Essential Safety Tips for Thanksgiving & Holiday Travel
1. Plan Your Route—and Your Timing
- Leave earlier than needed to avoid feeling rushed.
- Use navigation apps to check for construction or slowdowns.
- Avoid peak travel times if possible. According to Newsweek, this is typically anywhere from 11am to 9pm local time on the Tuesday and Wednesday leading to Thanksgiving.
- Prepare for deviations from the norm. The recent flight cancellations could lead to more cars on the road than in years’ past. The AAA projects an additional 1.6 million travelers will be in the mix domestically.
2. Prep Your Vehicle for Safe Travel
This isn’t “mechanic work”—it’s about preventing the types of issues that cause accidents.
- Check that headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are working. Good visibility keeps you out of accidents, especially after dark.
- Ensure your windshield wipers are functioning. Poor visibility from rain or ice drastically increases collision risks.
- Clear windows completely before driving. Frosted or foggy windows limit visibility and make lane changes dangerous.
3. Watch Your Following Distance
Holiday traffic means frequent braking. Keeping a safe distance helps you avoid rear-end collisions—one of the most common holiday accident types.
- Increase your following distance in rain or fog.
- Slow down in high-traffic zones or areas with deer activity.
- Remember: Arriving safely beats arriving “on time.”
4. Stay Alert—Fatigue Is a Holiday Travel Hazard
After a big Thanksgiving meal, drowsy driving is a real risk.
- Switch drivers on long trips.
- Take breaks every 2–3 hours.
- If you feel sleepy, don’t push through it—pull over safely.
Even a moment of drifting attention can lead to a collision.
5. Avoid Distracted Driving (Especially with a Full Car)
Holiday passengers, kids, music, and phones can easily pull your focus.
- Set your playlist and GPS before you leave.
- Keep pets secured so they don’t interfere with your movement.
- Assign someone else to handle messages or calls.
A second of distraction can lead to long-term damage—both to the vehicle and everyone inside it.
6. Give Yourself Extra Time in Bad Weather
If rain, frost, or snow moves in, slow down and reassess your route. Many holiday accidents happen because drivers maintain normal speeds in poor conditions.
- Reduce speed early—not at the last second.
- Avoid sudden braking.
- Turn on your headlights anytime visibility drops.
7. Know What to Do If an Accident Happens
Even with caution, collisions can still occur—especially in high-travel weeks.
- Move to a safe area if your vehicle is drivable.
- Turn on hazard lights.
- Document damage and location.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
And when it’s time for repairs, choosing an OEM-certified auto body shop ensures your vehicle is restored correctly and safely—so it protects you the same way it did before the accident.
Travel Safely & Enjoy the Season
Thanksgiving should be about good food, good company, and safe travels, not unexpected vehicle trouble or preventable collisions. A little preparation and extra patience can make all the difference on the road.
If something does happen—including deer hits, winter-weather damage, or collision repairs—Hammer’s Autoworks is here to help.
Hammer’s Autoworks, we’re gonna fix it right.