Celebrate Safely: 4 Simple Holiday Driving Tips

By Tiffany Stanley

The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and celebration. It is also one of the busiest times on California roads. With so many gatherings, shopping trips, and holiday travel, it’s important to remember safety should always be top of mind. Every year, too many lives are taken because of impaired or distracted driving.

AAA and our partners at the California Office of Traffic Safety and Caltrans remind all of us that transportation is about people, not just vehicles and highways. When we drive, we share the road with families heading to events, kids walking and riding bikes, and neighbors going to work. Each of us has the power to keep people around us safe.

In our community, holidays are more than meals and music. They are traditions passed down, stories shared and moments that connect generations. Protecting those traditions means protecting the people who make them possible. Driving impaired or distracted doesn’t just put lives at risk. It threatens the legacies we work so hard to preserve.

As someone who develops programs to reduce crashes, I see every day how safe driving behaviors save lives. Impaired driving doesn’t only mean alcohol. It can also mean drugs, prescription medication or being too tired to focus. Distracted driving can be just as dangerous. Looking away from the road, even for a moment, can change lives forever.

Here are a few simple steps to help you arrive safely to celebrate with your loved ones:

·       Plan ahead. If you know you’ll be drinking, arrange a ride with a sober driver, use public transit, or call a rideshare. A few minutes of planning can prevent a lifetime of regret.

·       Put the phone away. Texts and calls can wait until you’re parked. Even a quick glance can mean missing someone walking or riding a bike. Enable the Driving Mode or Driving Focus feature on your phone to help eliminate distractions.

·       Be ready to move over. Starting next year, California’s updated Slow Down, Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes for all stopped vehicles, not just first responders. Whether it’s a tow truck, highway maintenance crew or a stranded driver, moving over prevents secondary crashes and saves lives.

·       Share the road. Look out for people walking or biking, especially near crosswalks and intersections. Giving them space isn’t just courteous — it’s essential for everyone’s safety.

The holidays bring excitement and sometimes stress. That’s why it’s important to slow down, pay attention, and make smart choices. Follow the speed limit, give people walking the right of way and respect bicyclists by giving them room to ride safely.

When we choose to drive responsibly, we honor our families and our communities. Holidays are about caring for what matters most: the people we love and the future we share.

This season let’s commit to celebrating safely. Don’t drive impaired. Don’t drive distracted. Be aware, be responsible, and help make sure everyone gets home to their loved ones.

Together, we can make California’s roads safer and ensure the holidays are remembered for joy, not tragedy.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more informational resources and tips to stay safe on the go.

(Stanley is Manager, Traffic Safety and Community Programs, AAA)