GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Safety experts, including the Wisconsin State Patrol, are sharing their recipes for a safe Thanksgiving weekend on Wisconsin roads.
First on the ingredients list is planning ahead.
Add a dash of seat belts, a pinch of patience, and a generous helping of courtesy to other drivers.
Wisconsin DOT says that’s a good start to the recipe.
You’ll also want to add a full tank of gas, a charged smartphone and a phone charger in your car, and an emergency kit.
Menasha police added their own ingredient, saying most of these reminders sound simple, maybe obvious, but they matter. In fact, the Thanksgiving holiday period is already one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year.
The crash rate for the Sunday after Thanksgiving is 65% higher than the Sunday before holiday travel.
Sunday is the busiest travel day of the year as millions of Americans head home and commercial trucks and delivery drivers return to the road, according to data analyzed by the technology company Samsara.
Remember the motto “Buckle up. Phone down.” Eliminate all distractions, especially if you end up driving in inclement weather.
Remember to move over or slow down for first responders tending to a crash or disabled vehicle. Also, follow the “If you can steer it, clear it” rule; if your vehicle is still operable after a crash, move it out of traffic.
If you’re the driver, it’s a good idea to be well-rested before you go and take breaks as you need them. It’s better to get there a little later than you planned than not at all.
It’s also crucial to drive sober.
The day before Thanksgiving is known to law enforcement as “black out Wednesday” because of the popularity of celebrating and imbibing the day before Thanksgiving.
Make sure you plan ahead for a designated driver or ride share so you and others on the road get where you’re going safely.
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Dining and Cooking