Oh, the weather outside is… Well, for us here in Tucson pretty much just weather! Sure it has gotten colder but luckily we (very) rarely have to deal with inclement weather quite like other places in the US. That changes a bit during the holidays when so many of us find ourselves driving across country to visit family for the holidays. This time on the Sunrise Asphalt blog we are going asphalt adjacent and providing some winter driving tips for holiday and winter driving to keep everyone safe!

Drive Safe This Holiday

First things first. Before you put any luggage in the trunk or put tire to asphalt, you need to prep! And not just your car!

Prepare Your Vehicle

Make sure your vehicle is working properly. Lights, tires, oil, belts, fluids and the battery are all important components. Take your vehicle into the shop, have a professional go over each piece to ensure they are up to snuff for a long drive through inclement weather. If you anticipate driving through icy roads keep some necessary tools in your trunk.

There are a few tools to include in your trunk’s kit. A bag of sand or kitty litter can be a lifesaver should you find your tires spinning in a snow ditch. Blankets, gloves, boots, anything to keep you warm should have to spend any time stuck in your car waiting for a tow. A flashlight is a must, as well as a basic first aid kit. Keep a

Prepare Your Trip

I don’t know if you were ever in the Scouts but they have a pretty great motto: Be Prepared. Preparing your car is a great step, but there is more you can do to ensure you get where you’re going safely.

Take a look at your route ahead of time, know where you will be stopping (if going on a multi-day trip) and when you’ll be getting there. Have a plan to check in with someone each leg of the trip. As you travel through adverse weather conditions, the unexpected can happen, and you might have an accident. Having someone at HQ know when and where you’re supposed to be can help you get assistance faster. Knowing what leg you’re on can also make sure that any help can find you faster!

Drive Safe

Follow posted speed limits, drive defensively, the standard driving tips apply. With harsh conditions, it becomes even more prudent to follow the rules of the road, both written and unwritten. Slow down when necessary to keep control of your vehicle, give everyone plenty of room to maneuver should anything go sideways and make sure you are well rested each day before setting out on the road.

Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence, so make sure you have adequate sleep every day. When you’re planning your route have planned rest points along the way, but if you feel like you could use more rest don’t hesitate to take it.

Secure Your Home

Just like any other vacation or long time spent away from home, make sure your house is ready for your absence. Lock it up, move any spare keys inside, check with a friend or neighbor to stop by and grab your mail. Whatever you need to do to give your home the appearance of life and being occupied.

Remember – Relax!

This may sound counter-intuitive, what with all the advice we just gave about planning every step, preparing for every eventuality, but here’s the thing. With the proper amount of preplanning, you can save yourself a ton of worry and stress. That’ll make for a smoother, safer drive. That extends past the drive, while you’re visiting with your family enjoy the company.

Wherever your holiday plans take you, use these winter driving tips and get there safe! We hope you’ve appreciated this slight detour from our usual asphalt fare, you can be sure we’ll be getting right back to it next time.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Sunrise Asphalt!