Holiday travel tips: Is your car winter ready?

You should always be prepared to travel with an emergency kit like this one! 

Are you planning to travel for the holidays this winter?  We may have already had our first snows of the year. but soon we will have to think about more than just what holiday lights to install.  And because some of us may be traveling several miles for that Thanksgiving meal, family Christmas or other holiday event, things can get hectic. To make sure you arrive safely, it is important to take some time and prepare your vehicle. In addition to filling up your gas tank and checking your tires, Ready.gov recommends before your trip, you or a mechanic check the following on your vehicle

•  Antifreeze levels
• Battery and ignition system
• Brakes
•  Exhaust system
•  Fuel and air filters
• Heater and defroster
•  Lights and flashing hazard lights
•  Oil
•   Thermostat
• Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level

What if all the necessary maintenance has been completed on your vehicle but you punctured a tire or slid off an icy road into a snowbank during a snow storm?  You can be prepared by having an emergency kit with the right items, which can help keep you comfortable until help arrives to get you back on the road.

The emergency kit in your vehicle should be checked every six months and expired items should be replaced as needed. Here are some essential items we suggest having in your vehicle’s emergency kit:

• First aid kit with bandages in multiple sizes, gauze pads, tape, antibiotic cream, over-the-counter pain relievers, allergy medicine, hand sanitizer, and cotton swabs
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• Jumper cables
• Drinking water 
• Non-perishable snacks such as nuts
• Warm clothing or blankets
• Multi-purpose tool or tool kit
• Road flares or reflective warning triangles
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Small fire extinguisher
• Charged cell phone with family and emergency phone numbers
• Cell phone charger
• Spare Tire and tools to help change it

Once you have all this completed, you’re ready to travel safe this winter! Make sure you know before you go, by checking road conditions at www.kandrive.org.

Stay safe — no matter how you choose to travel

According to AAA more than 12 million Americans are expected to travel this week.

By Lisa Knoll, Public Affairs Manager for southwest Kansas

Once upon a time, holiday travel meant walking or riding a camel, donkey or horse to the traveler’s destination. As a result, travel during the holidays was usually limited to family or friends in the same town.  

Fast forward to today. Thanks to trains, planes and automobiles, anyone can now traverse the globe in less than 24 hours.  So it’s no wonder that over 12 million Americans are expected to travel this week and 90 percent of those will be travel by car, according to AAA.  

CityPASS reports that the today’s average long-distance holiday trip is 275 miles and that 43 percent of long-distance trips will be to visit family and friends.  Others will take advantage of the break from work, school and colder temperatures to travel to warmer locations such as Hawaii or Mexico.  

While the types of travel have evolved, technology also has changed how travel is booked, scheduled and experienced. It allows travelers to book, pay and check-in online, to pack less, experience more and overcome language barriers. 

No matter where you travel this holiday season or how you get there, KDOT wishes you and yours safe travels, happy holidays and a happy new year. Remember to wear your seat belts, slow down, pay attention and drive sober.

Turkey Day Travel Tips

Family, friends and food are great reasons for anyone to take to the road during the Thanksgiving holiday. Studies show that this is the busiest travel time of the year. In order to make it to the dinner table on time, make sure you are prepared by following these tips:

If your destination is far away, make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive. Have the vehicle’s fluids, windshield wipers and tires inspected prior to hitting the road.

Watch the skies. Bad weather can hit suddenly in parts of the country. Take caution when traveling in inclement weather.

Know where you are going before you leave.  Don’t rely solely on GPS.   Print out maps and directions, GPS service may become intermittent and having a backup is never a bad idea.

Make sure everyone is buckled in safely.

Keep your cell phone charged at all times in case of emergencies. If it is not being used for directions, make sure it is safely tucked away. Distracted driving can ruin your dinner plans.

Have an emergency kit handy. Make sure the contents include:

• Battery powered radio
• Flashlight
• Blankets for everyone in your car
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Maps
• Tire repair kit

Don’t drink and drive and know your limits. If you are tired, upset or ill it is not a good idea to drive. Take a break if needed.

Give yourself extra time to make it to your destination. More travelers on the road mean more traffic congestion. Be patient, the winter holidays are right around the corner and no one appreciates a Grinch.

For up-to-date road conditions check out kandrive.org

Oh Deer Part II: What to do in a car/deer crash

The holidays are approaching quickly, and travel across the state is expected to increase. More travelers could mean an increase in deer/vehicle crashes. 

Last month, we provided a few tips on how to be alert for deer and avoid a collision with one of these animals.

Unfortunately, because deer can be unpredictable or because weather conditions are not favorable, crashes involving vehicles and deer do happen. What can you do if you find yourself in this situation?

• If you encounter a situation where a deer suddenly jumps in front of your vehicle it is better to hit the deer rather than swerve to avoid it. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, more serious crashes happen as a result of swerving away from the animal. 
• After a crash, slow down and pull onto the shoulder. Turn on your emergency flashers
• DO NOT get out of your vehicle unless you have to. Staying inside the vehicle and buckled up is your best protection against a secondary crash.
• If you must exit your vehicle, wait for traffic to clear and stand as far from the road as possible.
• Do not try to remove the deer from the roadway unless you are sure it is dead. If the animal is still alive, it could be dangerous. 

•  Call 911 or *47 and tell the dispatcher where you are and if the deer is in the road.
•  Don't worry about the animal, law enforcement will have it removed. 

For more information on deer/vehicle safety click here