How To Stay Safe On The Road During the Holidays

Holiday driving comes with unique risks that auto insurers and safety agencies track every year. Higher travel volume, tougher weather, and an increase in impaired or distracted driving all contribute to seasonal increase in accidents.

Increased Travel Volume and Longer Distances

If you’re driving to visit loved ones in a different city or state, you’ll likely run into congestion along highways. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s tend to be the most popular holidays for travel, especially in the Midwest and South.²

When there are more cars on the road, there are often higher rates of accidents. According to data from the NHTSA, there are almost 14 percent more fatalities from crashes during holidays.³ This results from less favorable driving conditions and distracted driving, which we’ll explain in greater detail below.

Winter Weather Conditions

Winter weather makes it harder to navigate roads safely, creating serious hazards for drivers. Because of shorter daylight hours, reduced visibility, and freezing temperatures, it’s easier to end up in an accident.

Additionally, icy roads make it easier to lose control of your vehicle while braking. Even light snow can create slippery patches and catch drivers off guard, especially during major travel days.

Distracted, Fatigued, and Impaired Driving

People experience more stress during the holidays, which also means more distracted driving and speeding. During Thanksgiving alone, distracted driving increased by almost 11 percent, while speeding jumped by 38 percent.⁴

Impaired driving also happens more often during this time of year, since there are more late-night events and celebrations. From 2018 to 2022, more than 4,750 people died in drunk-driving crashes during the month of December.⁵

Insurance Claims Trends During the Holidays

Because of weather conditions, higher rates of distracted driving, and other factors, drivers end up filing more claims. Insurance companies regularly see an uptick in claims for the following:

• Rear-end collisions
• Wildlife-related accidents (especially in rural states)
• Theft of vehicles and personal belongings from parking lots
• Weather-related damage⁶

Choose the Best Travel Times

You can make travel easier by choosing optimal days to drive to your destination. The most popular travel periods include the day before Thanksgiving, December 23 to 24, and evenings after major holiday gatherings. When possible, aim for early morning departures and weekday travel, when roads are less crowded.

Keep in mind that it’s important to be well-rested while traveling, even during low-risk travel periods. Driving drowsy can be as dangerous as driving impaired, as multiple studies have shown.

Choose Less Congested Routes and Plan Breaks

Use navigation apps to compare routes based on current traffic, weather, and closures. If you’re driving along a route you’re familiar with, consider taking alternate highways or back roads to avoid traffic. It’s also important to map out rest stops, fuel stations, and charging stations.

Long stretches on the road can be taxing, so you’ll also need to manage your energy. Avoid drowsy driving by taking breaks every two to three hours, and switch drivers when possible. You can also plan breaks by bookmarking rest stops and gas stations in advance. Most importantly, get a full night’s sleep before a long drive.

Preparing Your Car

Before embarking on your trip, inspect your car to avoid common winter breakdowns. If you’re driving in freezing temperatures, you’ll also need winter tires to get more traction on the road. You can also talk to your mechanic about other measures you can take to prepare for harsh road conditions. For a smoother drive, here’s what to check:

• Tire pressure and tread depth
• Battery health
• Brakes and brake fluid levels
• Windshield wipers and washer fluid
• Headlights, taillights, and turn signals
• Heating and defrosting systems

You might also consider preparing an emergency gear kit, in the event of a worst-case scenario.

Defensive Driving Techniques

While we always recommend practicing defensive driving on the road, it’s especially important to reinforce good driving habits during the holidays. To start, keep a safe following distance between your vehicle and the car ahead. It’ll give you more time to reach if there are sudden slowdowns, especially in bad weather.

Aggressive driving also tends to happen during high-stress travel periods. If you see an aggressive driver, maintain a safe distance or change lanes. In situations where the behavior is dangerous, increase your following distance and consider reporting the incident. While seasonal travel can be frustrating, prioritizing safety is key. Do not retaliate, for example by honking or tailing, even if the other person is in the wrong.

Handling Adverse Weather Conditions

Driving in snow or ice can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. Make sure to get winter tires before getting on the road, since they’ll make it easier to drive in cold weather. In addition, follow these rules to stay safe:

• Accelerate and brake slowly
• Avoid sudden steering movements
• Use lower gears for better traction
• Look further down the road
• Double your stopping distance
• Pull over safely if visibility becomes too difficult to continue⁸

Minimizing Distractions

If you’re driving on a long-haul trip during the holidays, you’ll also need to reduce distractions. Set your navigation before driving so you won’t need to handle your phone on the road. Turn off your notifications, and let passengers handle calls when needed. By staying focused, you can prevent avoidable mistakes.

When it comes to holiday travel, having extra coverage will keep you from paying for repairs out-of-pocket. Liability insurance only covers injuries and repairs for the other party if you’re at fault. Considering the increased number of accidents during this time, it’s smart to be prepared. We recommend adding these coverages to your policy before going on the road:

• Collision: Covers accidents involving another vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive: Protects against theft, vandalism, and weather damage.
• Roadside assistance: Provides towing, battery, and other services in case of winter breakdowns.
• Rental reimbursement: Helps pay for a rental car after a covered loss

When To File a Claim vs. Pay Out of Pocket

If you do end up in an accident, you may be wondering when it’s appropriate to file a claim or pay for damages out of pocket. We recommend filing a claim (with a police report, if necessary) in most cases, especially if someone was injured in an accident or you caused property damage.

If you only have liability insurance and you caused minimal damage to your car, paying out of pocket for your own expenses may prevent premium hikes.

Whether or not you’re at fault in an accident, you should always:

• Take photos of the scene and damage
• File a police report if needed
• Exchange insurance and contact information
• Notify your insurer
• Save dashcam footage, if available

Heavy holiday traffic and less-than-ideal weather can make driving stressful. However, you can ensure safe travel by planning ahead, preparing your car, and practicing defensive driving. Make sure you have the right auto insurance coverages on your policy, like comprehensive and collision. With the right precautions, you can make it to your loved ones without a hitch.