Plan Ahead to Avoid Frustrating Travel This Holiday Season
23 November 1998
Plan Ahead to Avoid Frustrating Travel This Holiday Season, AAA Advises
ORLANDO, Fla.--Nov. 23, 1998--To make the most of this holiday season, AAA suggests planning ahead to avoid common holiday travel pitfalls.
"When you take a holiday, add the threat of bad weather and throw in 25 to 35 million motorists, you get a recipe for frustration," said Mark L. Edwards, managing director of AAA Traffic Safety. "With some advance planning, the season can be much more enjoyable."
AAA offers these tips for safe and happy holiday auto travel:
-- Leave early, stay late. If possible, leave a day earlier than
normal and return a day early or a day late. You can avoid
wasting time in traffic and enjoy more time with family and
friends.
-- Plan ahead. Know your route and have an alternate plan in case of
heavy traffic. Also make sure your vehicle is in top condition
and carry a vehicle safety kit.
-- Take your time. The current land speed record is 733
miles-per-hour. Don't try to break it on the way to grandma's. It
is better to plan extra time and arrive safely.
-- Take a 15- to 20-minute break every few hours. Stop at a safe
rest area and stretch your legs. Also, drink plenty of fluids.
-- Bring activities. Children's attention spans are shorter than
adult's, so they quickly lose interest when traveling. Pack some
special snacks and favorite toys to keep them busy. Try a
recorded story or sing-along tape.
-- Don't eat and run. After the third helping of stuffing, take a
walk to get the blood flowing again. Better yet, take a long nap
in your father-in-law's recliner before your return trip.
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 93 clubs with 1,100 offices providing more than 41 million members in the United States and Canada with services such as travel, insurance, financial and automotive.
AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news
