Traffic officials offer holiday travel safety tips

JACKSON, Tenn. – Many families are planning to drive to holiday get-togethers this year.

Whether it’s to grandma’s house or your favorite vacation spot, there are a few tips you need to know that will help make your drive a smooth one.

“Definitely they should plan ahead,” Jackson Police Department Sgt. Christopher Chilcote said. “You also want to think about packing blankets or bottles of water, even non-perishable food, just in case you might get stranded or there’s a major incident on the interstate.”

Sgt. Chilcote says it’s also important to make sure car is properly maintained.

“You definitely don’t need to be breaking down while trying to travel long distances,” Sgt. Chilcote said.

If you start feeling tired while driving, take a break. Making frequent stops to rest or just stretch your legs is important for keeping your energy level high enough to be alert on the road.

“Stay alert, most definitely if you are traveling long distances, you want to take breaks. You don’t want to be driving drowsy, definitely don’t want to be texting and driving,” Sgt. Chilcote said.

Sgt. Chilcote says if you need to use the phone, pull over. He also says to watch your speed.

“Make sure that you arrive on time, take your time,” he said.

Thanksgiving travelers will not be delayed by construction on Tennessee roads during the busy travel holiday.

“Beginning Wednesday at noon, running through Monday morning at 6 a.m., we are going to halt temporary lane closures,” Nichole Lawrence, community relations officer with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said. “We do that because this is the busiest travel holiday weekend of the year.”

Lawrence says to make sure to download any travel apps before you begin your commute.

“A good thing to do is to check your SmartWay app, call 511, you can also check Waze. We are partnered with Waze,” Lawrence said. “That is all incorporated inside of our SmartWay map and just know before you go out traveling this weekend.”

Officials say it’s important to check your tire pressure, all the fluid levels of the car, and keep an emergency kit with you at all times.