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Keep the Ho-Ho-Ho in Your Holiday Travel

Dec 21, 2017

Keep the Ho-Ho-Ho in Your Holiday Travel

According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), it is important to remember travel safety tips in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

“Our same safety reminders are as important now as they are during the rest of the year,” says Col Craig Price, Highway Patrol Superintendent. “Slow down, focus on your driving, don’t drink and drive, and wear your seatbelt. These four factors are consistently reported as contributing factors in many of the crashes the highway patrol investigates.”

Last year, there was one motor vehicle fatality during the Christmas holiday and two during the New Year’s period. Since Sept. 1, there have been 37 motor vehicle fatalities in South Dakota and 24 of them were not wearing seatbelts. 

DPS officials also encourage the public to be aware of  changing weather conditions. If you are planning to travel, be sure to check the latest forecasts. You can also find out about road conditions by calling 511 or at http://www.safetravelusa.com/sd/

If traveling, practice safe driving techniques and pack a winter safety kit.

Holiday safety is also important at home as well, according to State Fire Marshal Paul Merriman, because home fires are more prevalent during the holidays.

“With more lights, more candles, more cooking and more fireplaces being used, the chances of a home fire increase at this time of the year,” Merriman says. “Use holiday lighting safely, never leave burning candles unattended, practice cooking safety, and have a working smoke alarm on each floor, every sleeping area and each bedroom in the home.”

Have a Happy, Healthy - and Safe - Holiday Season!