Don’t crash the party on Thanksgiving! Buckling up could save your giblets!

As families travel long and short distances to gather together on Thanksgiving and begin the holiday season, the roads become more heavily traveled and the chances for car crashes go up.

In fact, the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most dangerous holidays of the year when it comes to vehicle crashes and fatalities.

During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2013 there were 301 people killed in traffic crashes across the nation — and tragically, 58 percent of those killed were not buckled up. Buckling up is the single most effective step you can take to increase your chances of a safe road trip on Thanksgiving!

Taking those few seconds to make sure all of your passengers, young and old, are buckled up, as well as keeping your focus on driving and preparing ahead for the trip, can make all the difference.   

Motorists need to give driving their full attention, buckle up, check road and weather conditions, and protect themselves and others on the road.

Follow these steps to make sure you arrive alive:

• Prepare. Make sure your car and tires are in good condition and that roads and visibility are clear. If using a GPS device, enter your destination before you start to drive. If you prefer a map or written directions, review them in advance.
• Make sure all passengers are buckled up correctly. Passengers in the back seat need to buckle up — it’s the law! Make sure children are in appropriate car seats for their age, height, weight and developmental stage.

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