Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for so many people but it can also be an extremely stressful one. Those who prepare the wonderful meal are worried about shopping and cooking; those who are driving to a loved one’s home worry about the commute. How can such a wonderful day be so tough for so many? Village Autoworks explains below why the driving part of this weekend is tough and dangerous.
Too Much Traffic
Historically, this holiday weekend is the busiest of the year on the roads. Rather than fly, which is a nightmare in and of itself, many people choose to drive to their Thanksgiving celebration and, as such, the roads are filled with frustrated drivers all trying to get to where they want to be. This lends itself to road rage, auto accidents, and impaired driving, not only due to alcohol but also due to exhaustion.
Speaking of Exhaustion
Getting behind the wheel when you’re tired is dangerous, and Thanksgiving weekend is exhausting. Not only are tired from traveling to your destination, you may have also started off tired before your trip if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before. Once you’ve arrived, there’s eating, drinking, and visiting that can take you well into each night of your stay, leaving you exhausted on the drive home, as well.
What this adds up to is a condition that is equivalent to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; we aren’t being overly dramatic when we say this. Studies show that driving when you’re exhausted impairs your motor skills as much as alcohol or drugs do, which means you might think you’re okay to drive home but you aren’t. Neither are most of the other drivers on the road most likely.
The Kids
The kids can make your Thanksgiving weekend commute difficult, as well. Depending on how long it will take to get to and from your destination, they will get tired, fussy, and you’ll lose your mind over the constant “Are we there yet?” questions. Keeping them occupied is difficult, even with handheld devices, which makes for a long, tough Thanksgiving weekend drive that leaves your nerves frayed.
Make the Commute Easier
You can make your Thanksgiving drive easier by getting plenty of rest the night before and throughout the trip, planning the trip carefully to include plenty of stops to get out of the car and stretch, and by driving defensively and being responsible, i.e. no drinking and driving. Finally, don’t risk a breakdown on your trip by having your car, truck, or SUV inspected before you leave and serviced if necessary.
Village Autoworks in Woodbury or Roseville, MN, can do that for you so call us today.