A great way to get into the holiday spirit is to enjoy holiday lights from your car, while maintaining social distance.
As you visit a community display or check out decorations in your neighborhood, though, remember to stay safe on the road to avoid unnecessary risks behind the wheel.
“Drive-thru events and activities have been a go-to for family fun throughout 2020,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA-The Auto Club Group, said in a news release.
“Personal vehicles can help you safely share in the joys of the season, but combining driving with other activities could land you on the naughty list,” Jenkins said.
The Auto Club reminds offers these safety reminders, to help you keep safe when you are viewing light displays, while driving:
- Watch for pedestrians, especially in residential areas. People on foot may be more interested in the lights, than oncoming traffic.
- Remain seated and buckled, even while parked on the roadside.
- Pull over if you need to program your navigation system, check a map, take pictures, or do anything that will take your attention off the task of driving. You can also delegate those tasks to a passenger.
- Do not come to a complete stop in a traffic lane. If you encounter someone who has stopped, only pass if it is safe and legal to do so.
- If you visit a drive-thru event and are asked to turn off your headlights, remember to turn them back on when you exit the display.
As always, check weather and roadway conditions before you go out.
Published December 16, 2020
