Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to connect with family and friends over a delicious meal. While you're preparing for Thanksgiving, remember these T-U-R-K-E-Y safety tips:

Traffic will be heavier than usual

• Plan ahead to make sure you arrive at your destination on time.
• Be attentive to traffic in the distance.
• Use your turn signal when changing lanes, merging, or turning.
• As always, click it or ticket!

Use a designated driver

• Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest bar night of the year — plan a ride ahead of time.
• More than half of traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, so expect random checkpoints.
• If you are hosting, ensure your guests make it home safely or offer a place to stay.

Report if you suspect you see a drunk driver

• Dial the local highway patrol or police department.
• Get the license plate number of the car.

Keep your phone away

• 1 in 4 car accidents in the U.S. are caused by texting while driving.
• Put your phone on silent and away from you so you can't be distracted by a call or text.
• As a pedestrian, your phone can also put you at risk while walking and especially while crossing the street.

Expect airport traffic

• It is recommended you arrive three hours early if you are flying to your destination.
• There will be heavy foot traffic and you may want to anticipate security check delays.

Yield to pedestrian traffic

• Not only will there be more cars on the road, there will also be more people walking, especially on Thanksgiving Eve in city areas with bars.
• Be especially cautious at crosswalks and stop signs.

Be safe and have fun! Happy Thanksgiving from NJM.