Thanksgiving is nearly here, which means that people are getting ready to travel to visit with friends and family. Unfortunately, this means that there will be a lot of dreaded holiday traffic on our roads and highways, and accidents are bound to happen. Keep these tips in mind as you make your Thanksgiving holiday travel plans.

Be flexible in your travel plans. If you can, try to avoid leaving during peak traffic hours. Leave a bit earlier than you originally planned in order to beat some of the rush.

Perform a maintenance check on your vehicle. Before you hit the road, perform a check of your vehicle’s engine, fluids, headlights, windshield wipers, brakes, turn signal, and tires. Make any necessary repairs in order to reduce the chance of an accident caused by a maintenance failure.

Take rest breaks. If you will be traveling a long distance, make sure that you pull over and take regular rest breaks to eat a snack, stretch your legs, and get some fresh air. Taking breaks is an effective way to ensure that you stay alert and fresh and avoid becoming impatient and fatigued while driving.

Be patient. For even the most patient drivers, heavy traffic can be frustrating. However, it is important that you not let your frustration affect your driving. Avoid the temptation to speed, tailgate, or make unsafe lane changes or passes.

Designate a driver. If your Thanksgiving get-together will involve alcohol, be sure to designate a driver if you need transportation. Drunk driving accidents tend to spike during the holidays – don’t allow yourself or your family members to become part of the statistics.

The team at Bockman’s wishes you and your loved ones a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!