New Years Travel Tips
Folks, if you will indulge me just briefly: I'm typing this via phone, from a rest area. If you are traveling today, please drive cautiously. The people around me today have lost their natural minds. Maybe they are all running late to Grandma's house to get the old gal drunk for New Years? Yesterday it took nearly three hours to go a dozen miles due to an endless sequence of fresh collisions. It's no better today. Some tips:
Don't travel in the pack. When vehicles get bunched together at high speeds, bad things happen. Back out of it and let them enjoy their own wreck.
Don't drive faster than your vision. In other words, drive slow enough that you can stop within your field of vision. It's especially important in rain, fog, etc.
Look at the whole picture as far down the road as you can see. Surprises are not your friend. Don't just focus on the bumper in front of you.
Assume that everyone around you is doing none of the above. Try to keep you and them out of trouble.
Give big vehicles more room. They need it.
Remember, nothing (not even Grandma's Rockin' New Years Eve) is worth hurting yourself or others.
Gotta get back on the road now. Happy New Year!
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Comments :
Jun '10
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Thanks, Dave. Safe travels.
Didn't you publish a post on ten rules for dealing with big rigs back in the early days of Ricochet? If you did, can you republish or link to it? If not, I'd love some rules that the rest of us should follow in dealing with you big guys.
Re: New Years Travel Tips
I hate driving on New Year's Eve. I get off the roads early and stay off of them.
Apr '11
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Thanks for the tips, Dave, and stay safe.
Aug '11
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Totally agree with you Dave. We normally stay off the roads after 5pm. With our weather here in the heartland today reaching over 60 degrees, I can guarantee you that the crazies will be out in force tonight. We have a nice evening planned with some goodies to nosh on and will probably be asleep by midnight...only to be awakened by fireworks. Hope your travels are safe and have a Happy New Year!
Dec '10
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Yet another reason the Star Wars marathon is such a good tradition today...
Dec '11
Re: New Years Travel Tips
And don't go volunteering to be the designated driver for boozing buddies. As the King Prawn suggests, stay home and watch Star Wars or maybe Firefly. Happy New Year to everyone!
Re: New Years Travel Tips
I think me and Alphonse are going to watch reruns of Swamp People.
Sep '11
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Oh, no! Is that actually a good show? I cannot bring myself to watch it after seeing the commercials because it reminds me of my family. I was born in Alexandria, LA (a town you mentioned a while back) and raised in rural Louisiana. I could not wait to escape!
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Foah
Oh, no! Is that actually a good show? I cannot bring myself to watch it after seeing the commercials because it reminds me of my family. I was born in Alexandria, LA (a town you mentioned a while back) and raised in rural Louisiana. I could not wait to escape! · Dec 31 at 11:32am
It's a wonderful show, Foah. Now keep in mind, I lived for a few years in Alexandria but it almost seemed like it was in a different state. Go south from there, toward Evangeline Parrish and Acadiana, and you'll see a difference. Great food, good music, and the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet.
May '11
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Dave, it is truly amazing. You and I have had eerily parallel lives. Well, we've been to a lot of the same places. I spent some time in Glenmora, LA. I would go to Alexandria just to get to a city with more than one street.
Happy New Year..and keep at least 1/4 mile gap in front and in back.
May '10
Re: New Years Travel Tips
All good advice for every day of the year. I also assume that all other drivers on the road are either drunk or texting and give them a wide berth. Also do my best not to drive behind any vehicle I can't see over or around. Has kept me out of collisions so far. A good and safe night to all of you. I, unfortunately, have to go to work for a few hours and won't get home till after midnight. Wish me safe, y'all!
Dec '10
Re: New Years Travel Tips
I'm glad that a professional is backing up my instinct to ease back when approaching a pack of vehicles on the interstate. The wife always wants to go the speed limit, no matter what situation it might put her in. She gets annoyed when I tell her to slow down five mph and let the pack get far ahead of us.
Of course, there was that one Christmas Eve trip to my parent's house where that advice was impossible. The whole interstate was one big pack. Ugh!
Re: New Years Travel Tips
Staying out of the pack is really important because if one of those vehicles in the pack has a problem, suddenly everyone around them has a problem. Similarly, it's not a very good idea to run along side an 18 wheeler, or to run right behind them. If a tire blows and you're tailgating, you might catch the tire with your windshield. If you're along side him, and he loses a steer tire, he could lose control and really ruin your day.
Oh, and one more thing. If an 18 wheeler suddenly signals that he needs to change lanes, please let him. He likely sees something ahead that you can't see, like an emergency vehicle or someone changing a tire on the shoulder.
Sep '10
Re: New Years Travel Tips
I try to keep between the packs of cars on the highway--it makes me feel too crowded when I'm among 'em, and there's usually some guy trying to plow through the whole pack without slowing down... ugh.
Dave, thanks for the advice, and I wish you a happy and healthy 2012!
Re: New Years Travel Tips
dogsbody: I try to keep between the packs of cars on the highway--it makes me feel too crowded when I'm among 'em, and there's usually some guy trying to plow through the whole pack without slowing down... ugh.
Dave, thanks for the advice, and I wish you a happy and healthy 2012! · Dec 31 at 8:58pm
Smart move, and happy new year to you too!