With AAA Carolinas estimating a record 1.34 million North Carolinians hitting the road for the Thanksgiving holiday, many groups around the state are encouraging drivers to use safe practices.

During last year’s Thanksgiving holiday season, there were 2,957 traffic accidents in North Carolina resulting in 1,155 injuries and 20 deaths, according to the Department of Transportation. In addition, AAA Carolinas reported rescuing nearly 8,400 motorists with the primary reasons being dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts on the holiday in 2018.

To prepare for this, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol will be out in full-force throughout the Thanksgiving holiday season, especially along Interstate 40. The patrol is participating in the Care Across America I-40 Challenge with seven other states, positioning patrol cars every 20 miles along the busy corridor to ensure safe travel.

In order to be as safe as possible on the road, the State Highway Patrol encourages drivers to cut down on distractions while behind the wheel, chiefly refraining from using a cell phone. It also reminders motorists to never drive while impaired and to maintain safe speeds during inclement weather.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and Safe Kids N.C. Chairman Mike Causey also shared precautions to ensure families with young children remain safe and injury-free while traveling throughout the holiday season. He suggested parents double-check to make sure car seats are fastened properly, to refrain from children wearing bulky coats while strapped into a car seat and to have exit strategies to get off the highway for bathroom breaks or diaper changes.

“Millions of people will be driving on our roads and highways in North Carolina during Thanksgiving,” said Causey. “It’s one of the busiest times of the year, but wintry weather and long distances present safety hazards families need to heed in order to stay safe.”

 

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