MOVE AHEAD
The Official Blog for Penske Truck Leasing, Truck Rental and Logistics

Holiday Driving Behaviors: Are You 'Naughty' or 'Nice'?

No matter where your routes take you this holiday season (over the river and through the woods?), you’ll likely run into more than just Santa Claus on his sleigh.

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Thanksgiving Holiday Travelers Expected to Gobble Up Roadways

Whether you’re heading over the river and through the woods or across town this Thanksgiving holiday, make sure to pack an extra helping of patience for the road.

Holiday travelers are expected to gobble up roadways, so if you are planning a DIY move over the Thanksgiving travel period, plan to pack an extra helping of patience along with tips from Penske’s moving experts.

More than 55 million travelers are expected to head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, which begins Wednesday and ends Sunday, according to AAA. It is the third-highest Thanksgiving travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel.

“For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA’s Thanksgiving forecast reflects that continued desire to get away and spend time with loved ones.”

More than 49 million are expected to travel by vehicle to their holiday destinations.

Wednesday afternoon is expected to be the worst travel period, with average travel times as high as 80% over normal in some metro areas, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights.

INRIX recommends leaving in the morning or after 6 p.m. to avoid the heaviest holiday congestion.

Tips for Holiday Travelers

If you’re moving or driving over the holiday:

Don’t Drink and Drive: Alcohol reduces brain function and impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. All are essential to operating a vehicle safely.

Know the “No Zones” Near Trucks: On large trucks, blind spots are found around the front, back and sides of the vehicle – areas not captured on a truck’s side mirror. For safety, Know the “No Zones” before you hit the road.

Get Rest: Make sure you get plenty of rest before you start your trip, and schedule breaks to remain alert and avoid drowsy driving.

Pace Packing: The holidays sometimes come with stress. By packing and loading one room at a time, and taking small breaks between rooms, the more successful and enjoyable the prep will be.

Protection Plans: Take advantage of Penske’s many coverage options for personal moves.

Accessories: Having a hand truck and/or furniture pads to help ease the pressure of moving items.

Remember, the busy roadways will be filled with more than just cars over the extended holiday travel period with commercial trucks, vans, and buses sharing the road.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed the “Our Roads, Our Responsibility” program featuring road-sharing tips for passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.

Penske’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance will be available throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to assist consumer renters and professional truck drivers as needed.

Are you planning an end-of-the-year move? Penske Truck Rental offers free unlimited miles on all one-way truck rentals, discounts for AAA members, college students and members of the military as well as packing supplies and 24/7 roadside assistance. Are you ready to make a reservation? Visit the PenskeTruck Rental website for more information.

By Bernie Mixon

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Avoid These 3 Holiday Driving Hazards

During the holiday season, more than one-third of Americans travel by car, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). This year, experts expect those numbers to rise. The result: congested roads.

Steer clear of danger. Watch for these three common holiday hazards:

1. Congestion – The holidays can turn your favorite route into a nightmare. Take charge by planning your trip ahead of time. Map out a few different routes, so you’ll know where to go — and what to do — should you hit a traffic jam. Leave early if possible so you have more time to reach your destination. And limit the number of lane changes you make on your route.

2. Impaired driving – When roads get crowded, people who drive while impaired create a high risk of injury not just for themselves but for everyone else on the highway. Impaired driving includes:

  • Drunk driving – In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 39% of traffic fatalities during the Christmas holiday were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers.
  • Drowsy driving – As many as 27% of U.S. drivers say they sleep less than 6 hours a night, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. That number increases in December as people handle numerous holiday obligations.
  • Distracted driving – Texting, eating, drinking, map reading and other distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, during which time a driver traveling at 55 mph goes 371 feet (longer than a football field), according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Combat all these behaviors by driving defensively. Check your mirrors often. Scan ahead at least a quarter of a mile. Look for telltale signs of impaired driving, such as swerving, tailgating and drifting. Stay sober. Don’t text and drive. And get at least seven hours of sleep.

3. Winter weather – The holidays mean snow, sleet and freezing temperatures for certain parts of the U.S. Take extra caution on bridges and overpasses, which freeze faster than the road. Clear all ice and snow from your truck and trailer. Keep a fully stocked emergency kit, and carry extra blankets, bottled water and non-perishable foods if you get stuck.

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Park Safe and Smart This Holiday Season

With holiday traffic volumes expected to be near pre-pandemic levels this year, professional drivers can expect to share the road with millions of motorists nationwide. But the highways won’t be the only crowded place. Truck stops and rest areas will be jam-packed, too!

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More Than 37 million Americans Expected to Travel over Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day travel skyrocketed as nearly 43 million Americans journeyed to their destination in 2019. Nearing record-breaking numbers, the surge came to a halt in 2020 as COVID-19 swept through the nation.

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Holiday Travelers Expected to Gobble Up Roadways This Thanksgiving

Planning a cross-country trip this Thanksgiving holiday? Make sure to pack an extra helping of patience for the road.

AAA expects more than 55 million holiday travelers – the highest amount since 2005 – to travel from Wednesday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Dec. 1, by train, plane and automobile to holiday destinations.

"Millions of thankful Americans are starting the holiday season off right with a Thanksgiving getaway," said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel.

AAA expects more than 49 million Americans to travel by automobile over the river and through the woods to their holiday destinations, stuffing already-congested roadways with even more motorists.

Wednesday afternoon is expected to be the worst travel period, with trips taking up to four times longer in metro areas, according to AAA and INRIX, a global transportation analytics company.

Preparation is a key ingredient to any successful move, but especially during the holidays, according to Penske Truck Rental's helpful moving experts.

Factors Driving Holiday Travel

AAA's 2019 Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast estimates 55.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more to holiday destinations, representing a 2.9 percent increase over last year. Overall, AAA expects 1.6 million more travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday period when compared to 2018 figures.

What is driving the increase?

"Strong economic fundamentals are motivating Americans to venture out this holiday in near-record numbers. Consumer spending remains strong, thanks to increasing wages, disposable income and household wealth, and travel remains one of their top priorities for the holiday season," Twidale said.

Of those travelers, the majority – 89.3 percent are planning to travel to their holiday destination by roadway. Another eight percent are expected to travel by airplane, with the rest taking another mode of transportation such as trains and buses, according to AAA.

Survival Tips for Holiday Travelers

Here are our tips for moving or driving over the holiday.

Moving Prep:

  • Pace Packing: The holidays sometimes come with stress. By packing and loading one room at a time, and taking small breaks between rooms, the more successful and enjoyable the prep will be.
  • Protection Plans: Take advantage of Penske's many coverage options for personal moves.
  • Accessories: Having a hand truck and/or furniture pads to help ease the pressure of moving items.

Before you get behind the wheel:

  • Don't Drink and Drive:Alcohol reduces brain function, impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. All are essential to operating a vehicle safely.
  • Get Rest: Make sure you get plenty of rest before you start your trip, and schedule breaks to remain alert and avoid drowsy driving.

Remember, busy roadways will be filled with more than just cars over the extended holiday travel period, with commercial trucks, vans and buses sharing the road.

  • Know the "No Zones" Near Trucks: On large trucks, blind spots are found around the front, back and sides of the vehicle – areas not captured on a truck's side mirror. For safety, Know the "No Zones" before you hit the road.
  • The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed the "Our Roads, Our Responsibility" program featuring road sharing tips for passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.

Penske's 24/7 Roadside Assistance will be available throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to provide assistance for consumer renters and professional truck drivers as needed.

Are you planning an end-of-the-year move? Penske Truck Rental offers free unlimited miles on all one-way truck rentals, discounts for AAA members, college students and members of the military, as well as packing supplies. Are you ready to make a reservation? Visit the Penske Truck Rental website for more information.

By Bernie Mixon

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AAA Expects Record Number on the Roads This Memorial Day Weekend

As the Memorial Day holiday is set to shift into high gear, drivers – including do-it-yourself movers – are encouraged to pack a little patience for the road.

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Record Number of Holiday Travelers Expected this Thanksgiving

Are you planning a do-it-yourself move over the Thanksgiving holiday? Penske Truck Rental is encouraging consumers to pack a heaping helping of patience.

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Travel Expected to Pick Up This Labor Day Weekend

To most vacation-goers, Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer. Many will be scrambling to squeeze in one last trip over the holiday weekend, making the roads a little more congested for do-it-yourself movers.

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Moving This Memorial Day?

Are you planning a move this Memorial Day weekend? The last thing you want to have happen in the middle of your journey is to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic or experience mechanical setbacks. Penske Truck Rental encourages movers, truck drivers and other motorists to plan accordingly if they are driving during the long holiday weekend.

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Record Number of Holiday Travelers Expected this Thanksgiving

Planning to travel over the river and through the woods on your cross-country move this Thanksgiving?

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Moving this Labor Day Weekend? Keep Safety Top of Mind.

Getting ready for a big move this Labor Day weekend? Don’t get stuck in traffic during your move-in day. Penske Truck Rental encourages movers to plan accordingly if they are looking to move during the final holiday of the summer.

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