As the 2025 holiday season approaches, millions of Australians are preparing for their Thanksgiving and Christmas road trips. While the festive spirit brings excitement and family reunions, it also brings heavier traffic, unpredictable weather, and a higher risk of road incidents. Drivers planning long journeys between late October and early January should exercise caution and follow sound travel practices to ensure a safe trip.

Experts remind motorists that smart planning, proper vehicle checks, and disciplined driving can significantly reduce accident risks during the year’s busiest travel period. Here’s how to stay safe on the roads this holiday season.

Prepare Your Vehicle Before Departure

Before hitting the road, schedule a complete maintenance check. A properly serviced car is your first line of defense against holiday breakdowns. Inspect tire tread and pressure, battery charge, brakes, wipers, headlights, and fluid levels. Ensure your fuel tank is full before long drives, as petrol stations may be closed or crowded during public holidays.

Carry a seasonal emergency kit that includes essential tools and safety items: blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, an ice scraper, bottled water, snacks, chargers, and reflective warning signals. Preparing these supplies in advance can save precious time and reduce distress in case of mechanical issues or severe weather.

A professional inspection—especially of tires and brakes—can identify problems early and prevent them from escalating during winter trips. Being proactive now means fewer surprises later.

Plan Ahead and Avoid Peak Travel Times

Traffic congestion is one of the biggest challenges during the holiday season. Planning your trip strategically can make a major difference. Review live traffic updates, weather forecasts, and road conditions before you travel. Leaving during off‑peak hours—early mornings or late evenings—helps avoid gridlock, allowing a smoother and safer journey.

Add extra buffer time to your schedule to account for potential delays caused by weather or traffic accidents. Never rush or exceed speed limits to make up for time lost. Inexperienced drivers often overestimate how much time speeding can save but underestimate how much risk it adds on slippery holiday roads.

Consider alternate routes in advance. If closures or detours occur unexpectedly, you’ll already have safer options ready instead of making last‑minute risky decisions.

Buckle Up Every Passenger

Seat belts save lives—especially during long holiday drives. Every passenger, no matter the distance, should wear one at all times. Ensure that child seats and boosters are age‑appropriate and securely installed before departure.

Adults should double‑check shoulder belt placement and fit, while children under the required height should never ride without proper restraints. The simple act of strapping in dramatically reduces injury severity in collisions and rollovers, which tend to increase during festive traffic surges.

Drive Slower and Maintain More Space

Australia’s late‑year holiday travel coincides with changing weather patterns and shorter daylight hours. Slowing down and allowing greater following distance are essential under these conditions. Even minor speeding rarely shortens travel time but greatly increases braking distance on cold, wet, or icy roads.

Experts recommend tripling the usual following gap during rain or on slippery surfaces. Anticipate stops early and apply brakes gently to maintain traction. Sudden inputs—steering, braking, or acceleration—can cause loss of control.

Avoid fatigue at all costs. Take a break every two hours or 100 miles to stretch, hydrate, and rest. If possible, share driving duties to stay alert. Late‑night driving after social gatherings is particularly risky due to reduced visibility and fatigue impairing reaction times.

Avoid Impairment and Stay Focused

Alcohol remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes during holidays. Never drive after consuming alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication that affects alertness. Assign a sober driver or use a taxi, rideshare, or public transport. Be vigilant for other impaired drivers, particularly during late evenings and post‑celebration hours.

Equally dangerous are distracted drivers. Keep mobile devices out of reach and avoid taking calls or texting on the go. Even hands‑free devices can divide focus during congested traffic. Silence notifications and commit full attention to the road. Remember that distractions—whether manual, visual, or cognitive—turn small errors into tragic ones when traffic density peaks.

Adjust for Weather and Road Conditions

Australia’s late‑spring and early‑summer weather can still bring sudden rainstorms or fog in some regions. If you’re traveling through southern states or elevated areas, remain mindful of slick roads, black ice, and sudden drops in visibility. Slow down, use headlights responsibly, and avoid cruise control on wet surfaces.

Bridges and overpasses freeze or collect moisture first, so approach them cautiously. Winter or all‑season tires provide improved traction; in snow‑prone areas, carry chains where legally required. If conditions deteriorate badly, it’s safer to pull over at a service area and wait until visibility improves. Arriving late is always better than arriving in danger.

Defensive Driving Saves Lives

Defensive driving means anticipating potential hazards and reacting calmly rather than aggressively. Maintain safe distances, obey all posted limits, and resist the temptation to overtake in limited‑visibility zones. Many accidents occur not because of reckless intent, but from impatience or misjudging another driver’s move.

Stay alert for pedestrians, cyclists, or wildlife near rural roads—common risks during dusk and dawn hours in holiday traffic. Adjust speed accordingly and keep both hands on the wheel.

Smart Travel Starts with Smart Habits

This festive season, combine preparation with patience. Begin your trip with a well‑tested vehicle, depart early or late to skip the rush, and keep safety gear at hand. Use rest stops regularly, buckle every passenger securely, drive sober, and focus fully on the road.

The most memorable holiday moments come from arriving safely—and ensuring others do too. Whether you’re traveling across states or heading a few suburbs away for Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings, staying mindful of these essential precautions will make your journey smoother, safer, and stress‑free.