Tag Archives: road safety

a couple in car reading from a map

Holiday Road Travel & Driving Tips | Be Safe and Merry!

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Posted in Car Fun, Safety

If you aren’t fighting for airline tickets this holiday season, you’ll be fighting for a spot on the road.

According to AAA, around 50 million American will journey 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving (defined as Nov. 23 to Nov. 27). And nearly 90% of these Thanksgiving travelers will be driving (around 44 million)!

AAA also predicts that they will be rescuing more than 370,000 motorists due mostly to dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts.

To avoid being one of the stranded families this holiday season, check your tires, go over essential car maintenance, and always carry these items in your car.

In addition to the increased risk of motor accidents and breakdowns, stress and travel anxiety will also be on the rise. Whether by air, water, or highway, it can be extremely stressful and anxiety-reducing to travel during the holidays, especially during such high-travel periods as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Whether you are going on a long road trip or making a more local drive to Grandma’s, these tips and tricks will help ensure your trip is safe, fun, and stress-free.

10 Holiday Road Travel Tips

  1. Prep Your Car

Most holiday travel is made by personal vehicle. In addition to winter weather conditions, the drives tend to me a lot longer. In order to reduce your risk of incident, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.

Whether your trip is a long or short one, you don’t want a breakdown to ruin the holidays. Schedule a pre-trip tune-up to check your fluids, tires, battery, wipers, and everything else. Even if your maintenance is up-to-date, do a quick tire and fluids check at least a day in advance of the trip.

Here are some things you’ll want to check before hitting the road:

If you are driving during winter weather, learn vehicle winterization tips. Don’t forget to fill your gas tank before you leave.

  1. Learn How to Jumpstart a Vehicle and Change a Tire

If your battery dies, it’s easy to jump-start it. All you need are some jumper cables and another vehicle, or you can do it yourself with a portable jump starter.

Portable jump starters are also great for recharging phones and other electronics. Some even have emergency radios, lights, 12-volt outlets, and air compressors. Don’t forget to charge your portable jump starter before the trip!

Additionally, it’s a good idea to double-check your spare tire before any road trip. To save time and impress your traveling companions, learn how to change a tire beforehand. 

  1. Enjoy the Moment

We’re not going to try to mislead you about holiday travel—it can be extremely stressful. However, you do have a lot of control and choice in the matter.

Instead of being all up in your head, worried about traffic, being late, anxieties, judgements, what-ifs, predictions, and the unremitting stress of work, family, and society, transform that anxiety into laughter and joy. You probably have family around you. Be sensitive to the present moment and enjoy it.

Nobody knows you better than yourself. Bring the things that will help make your time more enjoyable and less stressful. Whether that means noise-cancelling headphones, a good book/podcast, or comfy clothes, focus on the things that bring you and your companions happiness.

  1. Make a List and Check It Twice

One of the best ways to reduce travel stress and enjoy the moment is by making a list and checking it twice.

Make a list of everything you need for the trip:

  • Passport/Driver’s License
  • Insurance Documents
  • Phone/Phone Charger
  • Music/Audio
  • Wallet/Money/Keys
  • Laptop/Laptop Charger
  • Clothing (Layers)
  • Toiletries
  • Medication/First Air Kit
  • Car Supplies
  • Food (learn how to cook on-the-go with our Thanksgiving Car-B-Q post)
  • Gifts and Presents

Pack whatever you can at least a day in advance of the trip. The last things you should pack are items like your toothbrush, phone, and wallet. This should be a separate “final” list of items. Place this list on top of your packed suitcase so you don’t forget anything.

In addition to your packing list, there should also be a household chores list—things like washing the dishes, taking the trash out, and making sure the iron isn’t plugged in. There’s nothing worse than coming home to a filthy, smelly home.

Don’t forget to look up the weather and bring plenty of cold-weather items. And if you promised, don’t forget your famous casserole or pie to do for.

Wake up early and get some coffee and a good bite to eat. Then, make sure the car is packed with everything for holiday trip, including these essential vehicle items. Double check your “final” list of items and household chores list. At last, leave in complete confidence and enjoy the trip.

  1. Leave Early (or Late)

This is true no matter how you are traveling, but it’s especially true for drivers. Although most drivers try to leave early to “beat traffic,” many fail to achieve their goals. If you wake up early enough and already have everything packed the night before, you can beat the masses. Another option is to leave in the evening or night, however, if nighttime driving tends to be less safe.

The worst traffic usually occurs between 12pm and 5pm. Try to avoid the afternoon if possible.

You may also want to avoid the busiest travel days, which is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. Consider traveling on Thanksgiving morning and heading home on Friday or Saturday to beat the travel rush.

  1. Bring Entertainment

There are so many amazing Podcasts and audiobooks available at the press of a button that there should be no excuse of boredom during a long car trip.

If you don’t want to fight over every single song that gets chosen (that’s a lot of potential arguing and discomfort), choose long-form audio in the form of audiobooks or podcasts. Try to agree on what you will be listening to before the trip begins. Nothing’s worse than a road trip starting off on a bad note (pun intended) because you’re arguing about what to listen to.

Choose one of the following podcasts and you’ll be able to spark interesting conversations for the entire duration of the trip. Hopefully everyone will agree and nobody will be bored!

Here are some of the best podcasts suitable for kids and families:

  • Tumble Science Podcast for Kids – Kids’ science podcast for the whole family.
  • The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian – A very entertaining serialized science fiction story.
  • Dream Big Podcast – The entrepreneur podcast for kids on pursuing dreams and making them a reality.
  • Story Time – Best for younger audiences, around ages 2-12. Great for those who love bedtime stories.
  • But Why – Kids ask why, and adults find the answers. Topics are wide and varied.
  • Brains On! – In-depth discussions of interesting questions with scientific answers.

If you have an older crowd in the car (teens and older), you may want to listen to some of these podcasts:

  • Lore – Creepy, real-life stories hosted by (now a TV show on Amazon Prime).
  • Welcome to Night Vale – A brilliant mixture of comedy, mystery, and horror (a la Twilight Zone).
  • Lux Radio Theater – Radio shows of old movies. Great for classic movie fans.
  • This American Life – If you are a fan of NPR and PBS storytelling, you’ll enjoy this one (also a TV show).
  • Radiolab – Stimulating discussions on a wide range of philosophical and scientific topics.
  • The Moth – Award-winning show about real-life stories from real-life people.
  • Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! – NPR game show with plenty of laughs.
  • Hardcore History – For the history buffs.
  • You Must Remember This – Intriguing stories from Hollywood (start with the Charles Manson episodes).

If you are looking for a serialized podcast that leaves you hanging at the end of each episode, consider Serial, S-Town, and Criminal.

For a break from music and podcasts, learn the best games to play in the car.

  1. Use a GPS App

If you are looking for the fastest way to get to your destination, a GPS app is a must. Even if you know where you are going, today’s GPS apps can give you real-time traffic updates, road conditions, custom navigations, and other major benefits. The most popular ones are Google Maps and Waze. For more usability, go with Google Maps, but Waze will probably get you there faster.

And don’t worry about data. You can download maps to your phone via WiFi before heading on the road.

Use Waze, GasBuddy, and other apps to find the cheapest gas on your route.

  1. Pack Snacks

If you’re going to make it to your destination with minimal stops, you will need to pack some drinks and snacks.

While you don’t want to ruin your appetite, you also don’t want to arrive “hangry.”

Consider these nutritional snacks to avoid highway stops and arrive happier and healthier:

  • Nuts/Trail Mix
  • Jerky
  • Nutrition Bars
  • Granola
  • Fruit and Vegetables
  • Popcorn
  • Cheese and Crackers
  • Chocolate/Candy
  • Water/Juice

  1. Stop If You Need To

Sometimes a break is needed. If someone wants to stop, stop. Don’t cause yourself back pain or unwanted aggression by fighting the urge to make a pit stop.

Also, stops can serve as a nice refresh button when things are getting tense. Stretch, walk around, use the rest room. It’s a great way to feel better on long trips.

When traveling with children, teach them to avoid strangers and consider giving them a whistle if you should get separated.

You may even see a roadside attraction you want to squeeze in. If you left early, you should have no problem arriving on time.

  1. Be Safe!

Above all else, be safe!

You can reduce your chances of an accident with the following vehicle and road safety tips:

  • Get a good night’s sleep. Never drive while drowsy!
  • Buckle up, follow all rules of the road, and do NOT drive impaired!
  • Do not use the phone while driving. Either pull over first or have a passenger relay a message for you. Otherwise, it can wait.
  • Make stops to stretch, snack, and rotate drivers if you need to.
  • Clean your headlights, taillights, and signal lights if you need to. Learn more headlight safety tips.
  • Don’t tailgate—use the minimum 2-second rule during good driving conditions and the 4-second rule for rainy and unsafe driving conditions.
  • Download GPS maps and choose your music/audio before you leave. This will prevent the urge to fiddle with your phone while driving.
  • Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. Bare feet and sandals won’t provide any protection in the event of an accident.
  • Make sure you have your insurance and roadside assistance information on hand.
  • Keep a phone and charger with you. (Portable jump starters can serve as backup battery chargers).
  • Learn common driving mistakes and how to avoid them.
  • Learn winter driving tips and how to handle black ice and skids.
  • Learn about your vehicle dashboard warning lights and what they mean.

Use this infographic from AAA for more travel tips this holiday season:

Road Trip Holiday Travel Safety Tips

More Driving and Road Safety:

Need a safe vehicle for your holiday travels? We carry a large inventory of Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, each of which go through a comprehensive 180-Point Quality Inspection by our expert mechanics.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 472-2000

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-2277

Wishing you a fun and safe holiday season!

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headlight of a car

Headlights, Laws, and Road Safety | Everything You Need to Know

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Posted in Car Maintenance, Safety

When was the last time you thought about your vehicle’s headlights? Do you know which headlights to use during fog, rain, sleet, or snow? How can you increase visibility and reduce glare?

While headlights may not always be top of mind, in order to keep the roads safe for yourself and others, it’s important to periodically check your headlights and know how and when to use them.

Use this guide to learn about headlights, headlight laws, and how to improve road safety for everyone.

When to Use Headlights

Headlight Laws

The law requires that you have two functioning headlights that are to be turned on whenever it is dark out, usually from sunset to sunrise. In Tennessee and Georgia, headlights are required to be turned on 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, when visibility it low, and in adverse weather conditions.

These conditions make it harder to see other vehicles. Turning on your headlights will simultaneously turn on your taillights, significantly reducing the chances of a rear-end collision.

GEORGIA

Headlights are required to be on 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 500 feet, and in conditions of insufficient light/adverse weather.

TENNESSEE

Headlights are required 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, during fog, smoke, or rain and when visibility is less than 200 feet.

In some states, headlights are required anytime the vehicle’s windshield wipers are on in continuous use. This indicates the presence of rain, sleet, snow. Other states require motorists to turn on headlights in construction zones.

Most states require high beams to be dimmed within 500 feet of another vehicle.

Click here for a list of headlight laws by state.

Note: When driving in a foreign country, read up on the headlight laws. Many countries, such as Scandinavia, require 24-hour headlight use.

When to Use Headlights During the Day

You may think it unnecessary to drive around with headlights on during the day, but they when there are varying light conditions, car with lights on are much safer and more visible.

Daytime headlight use is highly recommended (and sometimes required) during adverse weather conditions, such as fog, smoke, rain, snow, sleet, or when visibility is less than 500 feet.

Turn on your lights whenever you see a “daylight headlight section” sign.

The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends the use of headlights during the day when:

  • Adverse weather conditions make it difficult to see (rain, snow, sleet, fog, or smoke)
  • On rural and mountain roads
  • On narrow two-lane highways
  • Road signs indicate a daytime headlight zone
  • The sun is about to rise or set

If you are having a hard time seeing other cars, turn your headlights on. They are probably having trouble see you too. Don’t forget to turn your headlights off when you park.

What Are Daytime Running Lights (DRL)?

Depending on the make and model of your car, you may have daytime running lights (low-voltage headlights) to increase visibility and enhance safety on the road. Even though visibility is normally clear during daytime hours, cars with DRLs are easier to spot than cars without them. They also let people know if the car is approaching or receding. Nearly all cars manufactured today include DRLs.

Studies have shown that 24-hour headlight use with DRLs can reduce the chance of daytime collisions by 5-10 percent.

How do they work? Simple—they work automatically. If you have DRLs, they will turn on when the engine turns on and turn off when the engine turns off.

Daytime running lights can consist of your parking lights and LED lights around your headlights and taillights. 

While DRLs reduce your risk of collisions during the day, they are not suitable for nighttime driving. Make sure you turn your other headlights on when it gets dark or the weather turns for the worse.

While the increase in road safety may be small, there is no real drawbacks to using your headlights during the day. If you have an older vehicle, consider using your existing headlights 24 hours a day to reduce the use of daytime collisions.

While no state currently requires 24-hour headlight use, several states have introduced bills to make headlight use mandatory at all times. Keep on the lookout for certain roads that require daytime headlight use.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

When to Use High Beams, Low Beams, and Fog Lights

In order to maintain safety on the roads for yourself and other drivers, it’s important to switch your headlights to the proper setting according to the location, weather, and time of day.

High Beams

High beams are typically used on dark rural roads without much traffic. When there are no streetlights on the road, high beams can help you see further down the road to avoid hitting animals, pedestrians, and debris.

Consider using your high beams on:

  • rural or mountain roads (turn your high beams off when you are approaching another vehicle or when another vehicle is approaching you)
  • open highways when no other vehicles are present
  • streets and roads that have no lighting

Always abide by your state’s laws concerning headlights and high beams. High beams can be blinding and very dangerous for other vehicles on the road. Most states require high beams to be dimmed within 500 feet of another vehicle.

If you are driving with your high beams on, make sure you switch to low beams whenever there is oncoming traffic or you are approaching a vehicle from behind.

Avoid using high beams when other vehicles are around. Turn them off if you see oncoming vehicles or are driving in an urban area.

Low Beams

Use your low beams, also known as dipped headlights, when:

  • Poor weather makes visibility difficult
  • Driving in the fog (if you don’t have fog lights)
  • Within 500 feet of another vehicle (many states require dimming high beams to low beams when you are within a certain distance of a vehicle—check local headlight laws)
  • Road signs indicate a daytime headlight section

Fog Lights

When driving in fog, use your low-beam headlights or fog lights (if equipped). Do not use fog lights on clear nights as they can irritate other drivers.

Dashboard Headlight Symbols – Are Your Lights On?

High Beam Indicator Light

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Main Beam/High Beam Headlights – Your high beam dashboard light is usually blue with parallel horizontal lines. While these lights provide better visibility at night, they are not to be used whenever other cars are around. Use them mainly for dark rural and country roads. Never have them on when driving the highway.

To activate the high beams, consult your owner’s manual. Many times, it involves pushing the lever toward the instrument panel. To deactivate, pull the lever towards you. The high beam indicator light will illuminate on the dashboard.

You can also use your main beams to communicate with other drivers. Rather than using your horn, a quick flash of the high beams can let someone know their headlights are off.

Low Beam Indicator Light

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Low Beam/Dipped Headlights – Your normal headlights, also known as low beam or dipped headlights, point downward to reduce glare for oncoming traffic.

Use your dipped headlights between sunset and sunrise or whenever weather conditions make it hard to see. If fog is present and fog lights are not equipped, use your low beams.

Many motorists choose to use their dipped headlights during daytime hours to increase visibility (if daytime running lights are not equipped).

Fog Light Indicator Light

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Fog Lights – Fog lights cast a low, broad beam that helps increase visibility in foggy, misty, or hazy conditions. However, driving with them on in normal weather conditions is dangerous as they annoy other drivers and can cause accidents.

If equipped, you can switch to fog lamp mode using the main headlamp control. For proper operation, consult your owner’s manual.

Side Light Indicator Lights

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Side Lights – Side lights are the small, white lights on the front corners of your headlights. In some cars, the sidelight indicators will turn on when the normal headlights are in use.

Usually, when your side lights are on, the rear taillights and license plate lights will also turn on.

If your low beam lights are not working, use your side lights. It will at least show that you are a car (not a motorcycle) and will alert others whether you are approaching or receding.

Tips for Headlights and Road Safety

Here are some additional headlight tips to increase safety on the road:

  1. Regularly clean your headlight lenses (about once a month whenever you clean your windshield). They can quickly become dirty.
  2. While fogging is normal (caused by the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the lens), if you notice water on the inside of the lens, contact your local mechanic or car dealer right away.
  3. You can help restore clarity and remove scratches from your headlight lenses with home remedies, such as toothpaste or insect repellent. You can also pay a professional for headlight restoration or purchase an inexpensive do-it-yourself headlight refinishing kit at your local auto parts store.
  4. If an approaching vehicle is using blinding high beam lights, reduce your speed and avert your eyes to the right edge of your lane.
  5. When using your headlights, drive slower and more carefully. Visibility is reduced and driving conditions are worse.
  6. During your annual vehicle inspection, ask your mechanic to check the headlights for correct aiming. Fix your headlights if they point in different directions.
  7. Check your lights regularly and replace them right away if they stop working. The law clearly requires both working headlights. It’s cheap and you can do it yourself. We recommend storing replacement bulbs and fuses in the vehicle for quick replacements.

Read our other articles for more driving safety tips:

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If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with one of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

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