How to Keep Calm on the Roads this Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes crowded roads, busy store parking lots, and traffic jams. While these situations can make your blood pressure rise, but it’s important to stay calm behind the wheel. Aggressive driving, such as speeding, tailgating, or cutting others off, increases your chances of a crash.
Here are some ways you can help diffuse conflict on the road, helping everyone have a holly, jolly (and safe!) holiday:
- Plan for extra travel time. When you’re in a rush, you may be more likely to become stressed and aggravated if you hit crowded roadways. Start your drive earlier than you normally would to account for traffic delays -- especially on the days leading up to Christmas which can be busy travel days.
- Shop during off-peak hours. Avoid crowded, and often chaotic, store parking lots by doing your holiday shopping during off-peak hours. When in parking lots, be on high alert for pedestrians, shopping carts, and other cars pulling in and out of spots.
- Remember that you’re sharing the road with other drivers and to be patient. People may be driving more slowly for a reason. If you get aggravated, take a few deep, slow breaths to calm yourself. Don’t try to speed around drivers or make obscene gestures. These behaviors may trigger other drivers to take even more aggressive actions.
- Keep your distance from other drivers. Tailgating other drivers is unsafe, and if they have to quickly stop and you rear-end them, you’ll be at fault. If someone is tailgating you, move out of the way and let them pass you.
- If another driver starts to follow you or acts aggressively, do not engage with them. If possible, pull over to a safe location out of the way of traffic. If you feel there is imminent danger, call 911.
For more information about auto insurance, visit AAA.com/Insurance call 1-855-282-2275, or visit your local branch office.