The Fourth of July is a special and fun-filled day for every fellow American. Whether you plan to watch fireworks, have a grill out, go to Virginia Beach or all of the above, you will likely run into traffic during this time of the year. With lifted group restrictions, people are ready to come together again. We are looking forward to the 4th ourselves; however, it is crucial to prioritize your safety during the holiday.
Below are some tips that we suggest you follow to ensure you are safe for the 4th of July:
Plan ahead for your trip. As mentioned before, there will be more drivers on the road, and parking may be difficult to find in most places. There are plenty of helpful apps that will help you with planning, navigating, and streamlining your drive. We recommend Waze for real-time navigation and traffic conditions and SpotHero to find your parking beforehand.
Be alert when driving. Independence Day is known to be one of the most dangerous days in the United States for motorists, primarily due to the high number of drunk drivers on the road.
Execute safe driving practices. We don’t need to recite everything you may have learned from driver’s ed but practice what they tried to tell us.Try to drive at a safe speed and maintain as much distance between other drivers whenever you can. You should especially exercise this on the highway as you might experience more stops or slowdowns than usual.
Do not drink and drive. This one is a no-brainer, and we aren’t saying you shouldn’t indulge in a pleasant beverage for the occasion. However, if you do plan on drinking, be sure you have a safe system to get from place to place. For example, have a designated driver or use a ridesharing app (Uber or Lyft) to avoid drinking and driving.
Be prepared for hot weather. It would help if you stayed adequately hydrated at all times, especially with the hot and humid Virginia weather. Ensure you wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing if you plan to stay outside for most of the day.
We suggest that you get your car inspected before the holiday to ensure your safety. Bring your vehicle to our shop in Norfolk, VA, for a thorough inspection. Then, have peace of mind to verify that your car can get you where you need to go. Happy Independence Day from Carmasters Automotive!