You can almost hear the Christmas carols chiming in your ears. But is it really the most wonderful time of the year? If you are a truck driver, there are a lot of ups and downs in these months. Like every year the holiday season becomes a busy time, because everybody is in a hurry searching and buying last minutes items for the celebrations or gifts for the family. Besides that, people take the opportunity to travel and visit family and friends.

Highway traffic´s will be denser because more than 100 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday season, according to AAA. A higher volume of vehicles traveling side by side on roads in December and early January creates an increased need for adherence to safe-driving habits, especially when coupled with adverse driving conditions. It´s highly recommend thar all drivers keep in mind that safety should be the number 1 priority.

In addition to the universal rules - do not speed, do not text and do not drink and drive - we´ve assembled some additional tips to hopefully make holiday driving more enjoyable and safer, and to reduce those stress levels.

- The first step is to make sure your vehicle is operating properly;
- Plan your route in advance and check traffic;
- Follow speed limits and drive defensively;
- Allow yourself extra time;
- Be on the lookout for distracted drivers. Stay alert;
- Avoid the busy hours for driving and distractions;
- Don´t break on ice and take caution on bridges;
- Idle in sub-zero temps: When you´re stopped, idle between 900 and 1,000 rpms to keep your engine at an operating temperature. A lower idle can cool the engine and cause the fuel filter to freeze;
- Keep your gas tank more than halfway full to avoid freezing;
- Buckle that belt;
- Make sure you bring your chains, if you leave the state of California the snowfall is dangerous.
- Finally, relax.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2024