Black Friday is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Even in an era of online ordering, many people love to hunt for deals at the mall to get into the holiday spirit. While fun, Black Friday also means busier roadways filled with more distracted drivers.
Fortunately, you can navigate the chaos with these smart strategies.
Understand Black Friday Traffic Patterns
Now that the pandemic is behind us, in-person shopping has increased during Black Friday and the holiday weekend. In 2023, holiday shoppers increased 3.5% over the previous year — and there's no reason to think they won't be back for more this holiday season.
Data suggests that store traffic peaks in the afternoon between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Though traditional "doorbuster" deals are offered as early as 5 a.m., traffic generally increases steadily as the day goes on. On Black Friday, most shoppers head to electronics and cell phone stores, so these areas — whether in the mall or not — are best avoided very early and mid-afternoon.
To avoid the worst traffic, consider heading out mid-morning or early evening.
Plan Your Trips
If you must travel by car on Black Friday, planning ahead is best. If you're a shopper, avoid stress by heading out as early as possible to claim parking at a mall or other shopping area where you can complete most of your tasks without moving your car.
If you're not a shopper, it's a good idea to stay flexible on the timing and routes for your trip whenever possible. Consider waiting until mid-morning or late afternoon to head out to avoid the worst of the traffic. It's a good idea to check in with your favorite map app to track traffic and consider alternate routes and backroads that will help you avoid the mall. They may be longer in mileage, but you'll feel less stressed if you're moving than if you're sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Avoid Drowsy Driving
The holidays are fun, but they can also be exhausting. Drowsy driving is a real danger at this time of year, as drivers get behind the wheel feeling fatigued from all those festive activities. Extra hours on the road to take care of holiday errands can make staying alert more challenging.
Unfortunately, drowsy driving is a major contributing factor to increased auto accidents during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Sleepy drivers have trouble focusing and have slower reaction times, which can contribute to deadly accidents. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake or remembering the last few miles of your trip, it's time to pull over to rest.
Stay Alert
Of course, you can also work to prevent drowsiness before it happens. Whether you're making a long road trip for holiday gatherings or just heading out for a big retail therapy day, try these tips to stay alert behind the wheel:
Get a good night's sleep after your Thanksgiving meal
Take regular breaks from shopping for snacks and drinks
Make regular rest stops when driving long distances
Share driving duties with others to get some physical and mental rest
Avoid heavy meals and alcohol before you get behind the wheel
Practical Tips for a Smooth Journey
The best practical advice about safe driving is to practice defensive driving at all times — holidays and every day. Defensive driving tactics give you a little more time to react appropriately when something goes wrong, whether that's another driver cutting you off or an unexpected patch of black ice. Solid defensive driving moves include:
Maintaining a safe following distance
Obeying the posted speed limit
Minimizing distractions in your car, such as food and cell phones
Scanning the road ahead for dangers
Using your turn signal to let other drivers know your next move
During the Black Friday rush, it's also a good idea to leave early and allow plenty of time to get where you're going. Reducing your stress and the temptation to rush makes it easier to practice defensive driving. Remember to be patient with other drivers as well — you're all in the same boat!
Enjoy a Safe Black Friday
Love it or hate it, Black Friday is a real challenge for drivers — even if you're not doing any shopping at all. That's why it's important to prioritize your safety by following these tips.
If you are a shopper, remember that no Black Friday deal is worth compromising safety for yourself or others. With careful planning and a commitment to staying alert, everyone can enjoy a fun and safe shopping experience.
Updated 11/21/2024