Celebrate Safely: 4 Simple Holiday Driving Tips

By Tiffany Stanley
Manager, Traffic Safety and Community Programs, AAA

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 is important to keep safety top of mind. Every year, too many lives are lost because of impaired or distracted driving.

AAA and our partners at the California Office of Traffic Safety and Caltrans remind us that transportation is about people—not just vehicles and highways. When we drive, we share the road with families heading to celebrations, children walking or riding bicycles, and neighbors commuting to work. Each of us has the power and responsibility to keep those around us safe.

In our community, the holidays are about more than meals and music. They are traditions passed down through generations, stories shared, and moments that connect families and loved ones. Protecting those traditions means protecting the people who make them possible. Driving while impaired or distracted does not just put lives at risk—it threatens the legacies we work so hard to preserve.

As someone who develops programs to reduce traffic crashes, I see every day how safe driving behaviors save lives. Impaired driving does not only mean alcohol. It can also involve drugs, prescription medications, or fatigue that reduces focus and reaction time. Distracted driving can be just as dangerous. Taking your eyes off the road, even briefly, can change lives forever.

Here are four simple steps to help you arrive safely and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones:

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

Put the phone away. Texts and calls can wait until you are parked. Even a quick glance can cause you to miss someone walking or riding a bike. Use your phone’s Driving Mode or Driving Focus feature to reduce distractions.

Be ready to move over. Beginning 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 is a tow truck, highway maintenance crew, or stranded driver, moving over helps prevent secondary crashes and saves lives.

Share the road. Watch for people walking or biking, especially near crosswalks and intersections. Giving them space is not just courteous—it is essential for everyone’s safety.

The holidays bring excitement and, at times, stress. That is why it is important to slow down, stay alert, and make smart choices. Follow the speed limit, yield the right of way to pedestrians, and give bicyclists the space they need to ride safely.

When we choose to drive responsibly, we show respect for our families and our communities. The holiday season is about caring for what matters most—the people we love and the future we share.

This season, let’s commit to celebrating safely. Do not drive impaired. Do not drive distracted. Stay aware, be responsible, and help ensure everyone makes it home safely to their loved ones.

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

For more information and safety tips, visit www.gosafelyca.org.