ST. LOUIS – According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation, an estimated eight to ten million people, will travel over Thanksgiving and Christmas, with 91 percent traveling by car. Mayflower Transit, recognized by the National Safety Council for its emphasis on safe, defensive driving, offer the following tips to educate drivers, and ultimately, prevent accidents and save lives during the holiday season, a time of year especially prone to inclement weather.
- Merging Your Sleigh Safely – When merging onto the highway, accelerate slowly. Don’t hurry to pull out in front of other vehicles, especially fast moving big rigs. When merging in front of a truck, ensure that the car’s speed is equal to or greater than the speed of the truck – and don’t slow down once merged. Keep a steady speed as slowing down may cause a vehicle to get stuck in snow.
- When the Other Sleigh is Bigger – If you are driving directly behind or to the right of a big rig and you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, chances are that the driver can’t see you. Most trucks have blind spots, so it’s important to stay in the driver’s line of sight when preparing to pass. This is especially important in winter weather when falling snow can further reduce vision. Keep a safe distance at all times and avoid tailgating to reduce the risk of accidents by allowing more reaction time for abrupt stops and slides.
- Under the Bridge to Grandmother’s House – When inclement weather makes it impossible to continue driving, pull to the side of the road under a bridge or overpass and wait for the storm to pass. In addition to the standard emergency supplies of a blanket, flashlight, bottled water, and emergency flares, Mayflower drivers also recommend traveling with a GPS system that can identify the nearest hotel, gas station and restaurant.
- Keeping the Peace – Spread a little holiday cheer and exercise common courtesy for all drivers, especially in winter weather. Let others merge into traffic from entrance ramps or other lanes. Signal lane changes. If someone makes a mistake or drives aggressively, take three deep breaths and let it go.
- (Rein)Deer in the Headlights – Vehicles kill hundreds of deer each year and more than half of all vehicle-deer collisions happen between October and December. If it’s impossible to avoid colliding with a deer, break lightly while keeping the vehicle pointed straight ahead. Swerving to avoid a deer causes more car damage and injury than a slow, head-on collision.
Mayflower Transit, founded in 1927, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest van lines and transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art and specialized freight, utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents throughout the United States and around the world. Mayflower’s headquarters are located in suburban St. Louis. Further information about the company is available at www.mayflower.com.
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