Travel on the roads can be jam-packed over the holidays. It doesn't matter where you're from; if you're driving this week, you need to be prepared, and that starts even before you leave your house.
Sgt. Chris Brown, public information officer for the Nevada Highway Patrol, says, "I've seen a lot lately of folks with brake lights that aren't working or turn signals or headlights that are out, so maybe take that time to walk around your vehicle and check all those lights."
You also need to make sure you have the right tread depth for your tires and that they're in good travel condition.
Sgt. Brown provided a checklist of more things on your car to look at.
"Check your fluids, your oil, your windshield wiper fluid, that everything is topped off and good to go," he said.
He adds, "We really, in the wintertime, don't think about that windshield wiper fluid, but it's extremely important, especially when we do get weather that hits, and you try to get that grime off the roads stuck on your windshield."
Needless to say, you have to have a fully functioning vehicle in order to drive safely on the roads and be ready for anything that may come your way.
Sgt. Brown says, "It's that time of the year. You should have it all year round, but especially in the cold weather, you want to make sure you have a survival kit with you."
He also says having extra clothing, snacks, water, batteries, sand, and chains for your tires is important, just in case you find yourself in a serious situation.
And remember that it's not just your life you need to protect when you're driving, but everyone else in your car and others on the road. That means staying focused.
"We talk a lot about cell phones, but it's also the other folks in the car," he said. "So, if you have passengers in the vehicle, it's ok to tell them, 'Hey, I need you to be quiet; I need to focus on driving.'"
Also, even if you think the weather is going to be nice, you need to check the weather before you leave. And remember to stay patient with others on the roads.
"Honking your horn, getting closer to a bumper, or cutting someone off is not really going to save you that much time. Be patient and get there safely," said Sgt. Brown.
Sgt. Brown also says to make sure you're respecting law enforcement on the roads, because they are people with families, too.
"The majority of the troopers I work with, we love what we do. We love to come to work every single day," he said.
If you're traveling over mountain passes, you also need to be aware that there may still be ice on the ground even if the weather seems nice.
"Sometimes we'll see it freeze on the roadways, and that will last throughout the day. So even if it's a beautiful sunny day, sometimes you'll get a shady curve in there, and that will lead to slick conditions," said Sgt. Brown.
Make sure you secure the loose items in your vehicle and buckle up. That includes pets. You need to make sure pets have leash seatbelts, too.
You can also check the road conditions by clicking the link here.
