Keeping Your Holiday Trips Terrific, Despite the Traffic – 7 Important Safety Tips for Travelers, at Thanksgiving and beyond

November 24, 2025

If you’re headed home for the holidays, or to a gathering with friends and family, or a special seasonal outing, getting there can be half the fun. Holiday travel is full of anticipation, excitement – and maybe some antsy kids.

Whether you’ve got a long road trip on big highways or a short jaunt across local byways – loading up the car with gifts and goodies, packing in the family, turning on some tunes, driving over the river and through the woods… It’s all part of the experience of good cheer and giving thanks.

While there may be “no place like home” for the festive season, unfortunately, there’s also no time like the holidays for travel dangers.

According to a new analysis by Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) and Insurify, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day all bring a surge in hazardous driving behavior. But you may be surprised to learn that, when it comes to dangerous driving habits like speeding and distraction, the most dangerous of them all is – Turkey Day.

Of course, many factors influence the risk level of road travel from Thanksgiving weekend into the New Year. Here’s what to watch out for – and precautions you can take to help ensure you arrive safely.

1. Hustle and bustle. Everyone’s rushing at the holidays, whether they’re happy and excited, busy and stressed, or just running late to grandmother’s house. This can lead to fatigue, speeding, poor judgment, and reckless decisions behind the wheel.

Remember that the holidays are about togetherness, connection, and celebration – not competition or perfection. Take some of the pressure off yourself. Slow down, take a breather, try to relax. Take your foot off the gas, literally and figuratively. Take frequent breaks, and trade off drivers sometimes if possible.

2. Too much on the mind – and in the hands. According to USA Today, “The data from CMT showed distracted driving increasing by 10.8% and speeding up by 68%” on Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving outpaces Christmas and New Year’s when it comes to dangerous driving. It has the most significant increase in time drivers spend interacting with their phones and speeding compared to similar days,” Insurify reported. “Distracted driving is highest between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at about 22.2% above a typical Thursday.”

Distractions like texting, typing an address into GPS, primping for the party, or dealing with your overstimulated children in the back seat, can all have tragic consequences.

Focus completely on the road. Keep your hands on the wheel. Pull over if you have to take care of business. Be smart – put away your smartphone! Remember, when it comes to cell phone use while driving, “No Touch” is the law in California.

3. Congestion. It’s not the kind that comes with your annual holiday head cold. There are simply more cars on the road during holiday travel times. Heavy traffic means bottlenecks, delays, and, sadly, more accidents.

Holdups will happen; plan on it. Build in extra time for travel, avoiding peak hours if you can. Check real-time traffic conditions before you go. Drive cautiously on crowded roadways. Maintain a safe speed and following distance. Stay calm, be patient.

4. Old Jack Frost. Much of Southern California is blessed with a mild climate that keeps us free of the snow, sleet, and ice faced by much of the country November through January. Still, the winter months can bring rain and fog, resulting in slippery roads and reduced visibility. And many of us will travel to other places where we need to remember to be vigilant about Mother Nature.

If the forecast looks really bad, adjust your travel to before or after the weather event if possible.

Do routine auto maintenance before you travel! Check your tires, brakes, wipers, and lights. And again, slow down. “On time” means nothing if you don’t get there safely.

5. Spiked Punch. For many people, Thanksgiving weekend represents the kickoff to the entire holiday season. Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve – as folks arrive in their hometowns, begin their vacations, get together with old friends, often in bars and restaurants – is its own kind of celebration, and has earned the (rather alarming) nickname “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving.” It’s important to be aware that that night brings a notable spike in DUIs.

As Lori Bergenstock of Mothers Against Drunk Driving told ABC10, “Drunk driving crashes go up about 40% during the holidays,” emphasizing that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is “one of the deadliest days on the road.”

NEVER operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Always have a designated sober driver, or plan on using a rideshare service. When you’re on the road, be on the lookout for signs that another driver around you is intoxicated – swerving, weaving, driving without headlights, running red lights, tailgating, erratic breaking, speeding or driving very slowly, etc. – and steer clear.

6. DO get defensive. Remember that it’s not just about how YOU drive; it’s crucial to be fully alert and aware of how other holiday travelers are behaving on the road. And as always, buckle up!

7. When an accident happens…Know what steps to take immediately after a collision: Move to safety. Call the authorities. Exchange information with the other party (contact details, drivers license number, license plates and registration, insurance policy). Document the scene with photos and videos. Don’t discuss the incident; don’t admit fault. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Notify your insurer. Keep careful records. Talk to an attorney.

Whether you’re traveling far afield or enjoying a nice, cozy staycation, the team at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn wishes you a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season. If an accident or injury disrupts your plans, we’re here to help.

Written on behalf of Aitken Aitken Cohn