More Holiday Travel Tips

by

Jan Dils

Last Updated January 21, 2026 In Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Info Articles

Winter driving is different from driving at any other point of the year. Most people know that, but it is still easy to underestimate how quickly conditions can change. Roads that look fine can ice over, traffic slows without warning, and visibility drops fast.

Around the holidays, there are also more drivers on the road. Some are tired or rushing, while some are driving in winter weather they are not used to. That combination leads to more accidents than people expect. Following some practical holiday travel tips can help drivers prepare for these added risks.

A lot of winter-based car crashes happen close to home or near destinations, not on long stretches of highway, but you can always call our car accident attorneys if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Preparing for Winter Roads

Many winter travel problems start before the car ever leaves the driveway. Cold weather puts more strain on vehicles, and small issues become bigger ones in bad conditions.

Some common holiday travel tips often focus on packing and planning, but vehicle readiness matters just as much. Before traveling, it helps to check a few basics:

• Tires should have enough tread to grip slick roads
• Windshield wipers and washer fluid should be working properly
• Lights should be clean and visible
• The gas tank should be nearly full

It is also smart to carry simple emergency items. A blanket, an extra phone charger, or flashlight can make a difference if traffic stops or weather worsens, and you are stuck on the road in a blizzard.

Driving in Winter Conditions

Winter driving requires more patience than skill. You will need to driver slower, stop earlier, and prevent sudden movements that could cause your car to slip on the ice. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas freeze first, and will cause many winter accidents. Leaving extra space between vehicles helps, especially when traffic is heavy.

One of the most overlooked travel tips is slowing down earlier than you think you need to. That extra time often prevents crashes. Additionally, a few seconds of inattention can be enough to lose control. Alcohol also plays a role in many holiday crashes, which makes planning ahead even more important.

Let Us Help You With an Injury Claim After a Winter Accident

At Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, we see how quickly winter accidents change people’s lives. If you or a family member is hurt in a winter driving crash, you may have questions about what comes next.

Call our personal injury team to talk about your situation and decide what to do next. These holiday travel tips can reduce risk, but accidents still happen. If they do, you do not have to handle the aftermath alone.